The Pittsburgh Steelers-Cincinnati Bengals rivalry is a heated one, with outspoken players on both sides of the fence. One outspoken player is Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams.
Williams has been very vocal not only regarding his stance on various issues around the NFL but also his feelings that Bengals defenders play extremely dirty.
Following the Bengals’ 35-17 loss to the New England Patriots, a game in which Bengals star linebacker Vontaze Burfict made this controversial hit that caused him to be fined $75,000, DeAngelo sent this tweet out regarding the incident.
So roger is concerned about player safety right? However a known offender is fined rather than removed from the field? Message received😏👊🏽
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) October 19, 2016
DeAngelo Williams may have a point here.
Many will argue that Burfict, a repeat offender of fines and suspensions, was let off easy after what seemed to be a concerted attempt to injure Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett. He also allegedly stomped running back Legarrette Blount following a touchdown run.
As can be seen, multiple players were displeased with that outcome, though some were diplomatic expressing their frustration.
If the NFL is truly making a concerted effort to focus on player safety, why let a repeat offender slide with a fine, rather than a suspension?
While the suspension itself was very steep, if what Burfict did caused him to be fined nearly $100,000 dollars, how did it not warrant a suspension?
Regardless, these comments by Williams just added more fuel to the fire in regards to the Steelers’ next matchup against the Bengals in Week 15. This is a game in which, barring injury or suspension, Vontaze Burfict and DeAngelo Williams will have the opportunity to go head up against each other.
Let’s just hope Burfict can clean up his act before he ends a career.