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Vontaze Burfict

LB (retired)

Vontaze Burfict: facts drawn from the play-by-play.

FanIQ Research · May 10, 2026 · 6 facts, every one from the play-by-play

2013 Pro Bowler — led the NFL in tackles (171) as an undrafted 2nd-year LB with CIN.

Milestone

Burfict 2013 season

Stat	Value
Tackles	171 (NFL lead)
Pro Bowl	Yes
Draft	Undrafted
Tm record	11-5 CIN

Went undrafted in 2012 despite being a 5-star recruit at Arizona State — character concerns dropped him out of every round.

Milestone

Burfict draft

Stat	Value
College	Arizona State
Draft year	2012
Round	Undrafted
Signed by	CIN (UDFA)

Most-fined and most-suspended player of his era — fines and suspensions reportedly cost him over $5M in lost wages.

Anomaly

Burfict suspensions

Year	Length	Reason
2016	3 games	Hits to defenseless players
2017	3 games (PED)	PED policy violation
2018	4 games	PED appeal
2019	Rest of season	Helmet hit on Jack Doyle

Played in the infamous 2015 'Wild Card Meltdown' vs PIT — his late-hit penalty on Antonio Brown set up the Steelers' game-winning FG.

Milestone

2015 Wild Card vs PIT

Stat	Value
CIN 2015 record	12-4
Result	L vs PIT 18-16
Burfict penalty	15-yd late hit
Outcome	PIT game-winning FG

Career ended at age 29 after 2019 suspension. Never reached double-digit games in 4 of his last 5 seasons.

Trend

Burfict career arc

Phase	Years	Status
Peak	2012-2015	Pro Bowl + AFCN titles
Suspensions	2016-2019	Multiple PED + hit bans
Final season	2019 LV	12-game suspension
Retired	2020	Age 29

Among UDFA LBs to make a Pro Bowl in their first 2 seasons, Burfict joins a tiny club (London Fletcher being the most famous).

Comparison

UDFA LB → early Pro Bowl

Player	Note
London Fletcher	4 PB, all UDFA
James Harrison	5 PB + DPOY (UDFA)
Vontaze Burfict	1 PB (Year 2)

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