Vontaze DeLeon Burfict Jr. (/ˈvɒntɛz ˈbɜːrfɪkt/ VON-tez BUR-fikt; born September 24, 1990) is an American football player for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at Arizona State. Burfict has earned a reputation as a dirty player for multiple incidents throughout his career. He has accumulated $4,150,000 in fines and forfeited salary through his career.
Burfict was considered the most highly ranked football prospect Arizona State ever signed to a letter of intent, but had an up-and-down career for the Sun Devils. An All-American in 2010, Burfict was projected an early first round pick for the 2012 NFL Draft on the eve of his junior season. However, a mediocre on-field performance and poor pre-draft workouts deteriorated his draft stock. He went on to have a productive rookie season, starting 14 games and leading the team in tackles.