The league’s three-game suspension of the Bengals linebacker has been upheld on appeal, ESPN reports, leaving Cincinnati without a disruptive defender to open the 2016 season.
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Appeals officer Derrick Brooks has upheld Burfict’s three-game suspension for repeated violations of safety-related playing rules, NFL Media’s Albert Breer reported, via a league spokesman. Brooks’ ruling had apparently had been handed down before Thursday.
Burfict met with Goodell at the linebacker’s request in order to “discuss his behavior and what to do going forward“. Most notable was a blow to the head of receiver Antonio Brown that resulted in a concussion.
The meeting with Goodell isn’t the appeal of the suspension.
Burfict was also fined $50,000 for a hit on Baltimore Ravens tight end Maxx Williams in Week 17. With less than 20 seconds remaining, the Steelers made the go-ahead field goal that was the game-winner. It was after the Week 14 meeting in Cincinnati that Burfict was fined for three incidents for a total amount that was just shy of $70,000.
Burfict, who leads the NFL in personal foul penalties since entering the league in the 2012 season, will not be paid for each game he is suspended.
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Burfict finished last season with 74 tackles, one sack and two interceptions in 10 games.
