The NFL dropped the hammer on Vontaze Burfict on Monday, and Tahir Whitehead is not happy.
Burfict was ejected from the Raiders' 31-24 win over the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium after a vicious hit to the head of Colts tight end Jack Doyle. Due to Burfict's lengthy history of illegal and dangerous hits, the league chose to suspend him for the remainder of the 2019 season. The middle linebacker is appealing the decision.
After the decision was made, Whitehead took to Twitter to blast the suspension of one of the Raiders' captains.
This is straight bullshit. No way that hit calls for that. This shit is getting out of hand. https://t.co/CAuZN324sR— Tahir Whitehead (@Big_Tah47) September 30, 2019
Exactly. It was not intentional. Doyle was getting up to run and unfortunately he was hit in the head. The ejection from the game should be enough. As much as people want to think so, he's not the same player. https://t.co/g7PDseZb3Y— Tahir Whitehead (@Big_Tah47) September 30, 2019
Sports
The Raiders entered Week 4's game against the Colts already very thin at linebacker, and now they will have to find a way to stomach the loss of Burfict who will not be able to practice or play while he's appealing.
For his part, Doyle didn't believe the hit was dirty.
"I just got tackled," Doyle said after the game. "I'm sure it looked worse than it was. I didn't really feel anything from it. My helmet protected me."
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Jon Gruden's team showed great resolve by getting a win over a talented Colts team, The Raiders have faced loads of adversity from the jump, and Burfict's suspension will be another test to see if Gruden and the team's leaders can keep the Silver and Black on track during their five-game road trip.
The Raiders will face the Chicago Bears in London in Week 5.
