Cincinnati Bengals' Vontaze Burfict appeals five-game ban
Monday 28 August 2017 17:37, UK
Cincinnati Bengals' Vontaze Burfict is appealing a five-game suspension for an off-the-ball hit on Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman.
The incident occurred during a pre-season game between the two sides, in which the Chiefs defeated the Bengals 30-12.
The hit on Sherman came as the fullback was coming out of the backfield, however, Burfict was not penalised on the play.
Burfict has in the past been sanctioned for previous offences and was suspended for the opening three games of the 2016 season for violations of player safety rules.
The 26 year-old's appeal hearing with the NFL will take place next week.
If the suspension holds, Burfict would miss games against the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.
The team responded with a statement in which they claim "the hit was legal."
"The Bengals are aware of the NFL's letter to Vontaze regarding a play in last weekend's game," it read.
"The film shows that the hit was legal, that Vontaze engaged his opponent from the front, and that contact was shoulder-to-chest.
"The club will support Vontaze in the appeal process."
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The regular season of home and away matches run from September to December 2017, culminating in PlayOffs from January 6, 2018 and the Super Bowl on February 4, 2018 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota to determine the world champion.
