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Steelers call for Vontaze Burfict to be suspended as NFL reviews his questionable hits

The Pittsburgh Steelers have reviewed the tape and made their call. They believe Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict should be suspended for hitting Antonio Brown in the head with his elbow.

Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert said Burfict’s hit on Brown was “pathetic” and “sad,” and called for the NFL to get involved, according to ESPN.

“That’s pathetic. The NFL has to do something about that,” Gilbert said. “A guy like that, going out there intentionally trying to hurt people, there’s no need for that kind of playing in this league. It’s sad. One of these days he’ll grow up.”

Gilbert later said Burfict should be suspended.

The league has decided to get involved. The NFL is reportedly reviewing three of Burfict’s plays from the Bengals’ 28-21 loss to the Steelers in Week 6.

The league has not made a decision regarding potential punishment just yet.

Brown briefly left the game after taking the shot from Burfict. He later returned, and eventually scored the game-winning touchdown with just a few seconds left in the four quarter. After the game, Brown did not give an opinion over whether he thought the hit was dirty.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Burfict told Juju Smith-Schuster he was next after Brown left the game.

“He hits A.B., then, literally, as I am under center for the next play, he points at JuJu and says, ‘You’re next,’ ” Roethlisberger said. “How do you allow that stuff?”

During the offseason, Burfict “liked” a number of tweets suggesting he lay out Steelers wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. It’s unclear whether NFL will consider those tweets as they review tape of Burfict from Week 6.

Guard David DeCastro expressed anger over the league allowing wide receivers to take brutal hits, according to ESPN. He added that the league should do something if it is trying to promote a safer game.

“With all the emphasis on quarterback safety, what about a guy like AB: A superstar he is in this league, how much money he’s getting paid, how much he means to this team? A cheap shot like that, I thought was unnecessary. … If they want to talk about making this game safer, maybe they will do something.”

Burfict declined to speak to reporters following Sunday’s loss.

Vontaze Burfict isn’t a popular man in the Steelers’ locker room these days. (AP Photo)
Vontaze Burfict isn’t a popular man in the Steelers’ locker room these days. (AP Photo)

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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