VIDEO: Ed Reed Says Suspended Vontaze Burfict Should Undergo a Mental Health Evaluation
By Scott Rogust
Vontaze Burfict is a controversial figure in the NFL, due entirely in part to his violent play and recklessness. In his eight-year career, the Oakland Raiders linebacker had been suspended and fined 15 separate times. His latest egregious act, a helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle, proved to be the final straw, as he was handed a season-long suspension by the NFL. When asked about Burfict's actions, Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed told TMZ Sports that he believes the embattled linebacker should undergo a mental health evaluation.
Once the suspension was handed down, both Burfict and the Raiders appealed the league's decision, but arbitrator Derrick Brooks let the decision stand.
Seeing Burfict's insistence to inflict pain on his opponent, while also blowing kisses to Colts fans following his hit on Doyle, Reed feels there's something mentally wrong with the linebacker. Reed is an advocate for safe play in the league, as he wants to spread awareness of the dangers of CTE to football players everywhere. The former Baltimore Raven wants the NFL to provide Burfict with a mental health evaluation to get him on the straight and narrow.
"He's just playing the game the way he knows that it's meant to be played."
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 9, 2019
—Jonathan Abram on Vontaze Burfict's suspension pic.twitter.com/t3IibT4ZuA
Vontaze Burfict's career might be over as a result of his history, and Ed Reed wants to know if CTE has played a role in those numerous dirty hits.