Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has only played in two games this season and in both games, he's managed to find himself involved in a controversy.
The latest incident involving Burfict took place during Cincinnati's 31-10 over Cleveland on Thursday. Late in the first quarter, the Browns were deep in Bengals territory when Johnny Manziel overthrew tight end Gary Barnidge in the end zone.
After the pass went incomplete, Burfict's momentum took him toward a cameraman in the back of the end zone. At that point, Burfict apparently decided that he didn't like where that particular camera was located, so he knocked it over.
Vontaze Burfict is tired of that camera looking at him all night. https://t.co/AQhMUtszWO pic.twitter.com/G6nrurWgG4
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) November 6, 2015
That camera's not cheap.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the camera that Burfict knocked over was being operated by Jim Strickler, one of the members of the scoreboard crew at Paul Brown Stadium.
The camera hit Strickler in the face after Burfict pushed it, which caused a few minor injuries.
Vontaze Burfict's latest victim, a cameraman he assaulted through his camera. It was deliberate. pic.twitter.com/GRVzBfvky3
— Hilal (@hjchami) November 6, 2015
According to the Bengals, Strickler was examined by the team and OK'd to return to work.
"He and all other people that work those jobs are fully aware those positions entail some physical risk because close to action and course of the play is unpredictable," the team said in a statement.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said on Friday that he wants Burfict to apologize to Strickler.
One of the best reaction shots of the incident came from the Enquirer's Sam Greene, who grabbed the photo below.
Just look at the horror on the face of that girl in the middle of the left photo.
Feeling for this camera operator who got jacked on that Burfict/Nelson crash. #Bengals #TNF #WhoDey @Enquirer pic.twitter.com/f4P41prnG4
— Sam Greene (@SGdoesit) November 6, 2015
Let's get a closer look at this girl, who's definitely not OK with linebacker violence towards TV cameras.
As for Burfict, it's his second controversy in two weeks. After missing the first six weeks of the season rehabbing from microfracture surgery, Burfict returned against the Steelers on Sunday and made the tackle that injured Le'Veon Bell.
Some Steelers player believe he might have done it on purpose and one player even threatened Burfict on Twitter.
