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News broke Tuesday that the Oakland Raiders have signed oft-troubled former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict to a one-year, $5 million deal.
Burfict, who was suspended three times for a total of 10 games in his seven-year stint with the Bengals, made several enemies across the league. One of the most high profile enemies being new teammate Antonio Brown, who Burfict was delivered multiple illegal hits on.
This one concussed Brown and knocked him out of the 2016 playoffs. Burfict was ejected and later suspended for three games.
Vontaze Burfict and Antonio Brown are teammates now. pic.twitter.com/wK98fBoGr9
— Jamey Eisenberg (@JameyEisenberg) March 20, 2019
Here’s one that cost the former Pro Bowler a $112,000 fine.
Burfict throwing an elbow into AB's head, because of course! pic.twitter.com/182OzqxE62
— Benstonium (@Benstonium) October 14, 2018
The upcoming reunion of two enemies had lit a fire under NFL Twitter, with fans needing to know what their initial meeting will be like.
Dear @raiders please please please stream the first meeting between Vontaze Burfict and Antonio Brown.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 20, 2019
*Antonio Brown sees Oakland sign Vontaze Burfict*
*Antonio Brown to Pittsburgh* pic.twitter.com/Ud5EdrtAFn
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) March 20, 2019
Burfict and Antonio Brown’s first day of practice with the Raiders pic.twitter.com/Z7z9DsHMm5
— B-ry (@b_ryanCOMORA) March 20, 2019
The 28-year-old Burfict claims that despite his rocky history with arguably the league’s best receiver, now that they are teammates it’s “all love.”
Via ESPN:
“We’re on the same team,” Burfict said. “It’s one goal. It’s all positive, man. He’s a great player. He’s gonna be in the Hall of Fame one day. … I’m going to approach him just like I do all my other teammates. … There’s nothing negative here. We’re on the same team. We’re trying to win a championship here.
“Honestly, we might be the closest friends on the team, you know what I mean? So, just got to go along with it, and I can’t wait to meet him.”
Brown later tweeted that the two had spoken and seem to have buried the hatchet.
Just talked @King55Tez black and silver baby #RaiderNation #BullySeason
— AB (@AB84) March 20, 2019
#BullySeason.