30 NFL players fans loved to loathe

NFL History: 30 players fans loved to loathe: 23. Vontaze Burfict

Unlike some names on this list that shy away from being the villain, Vontaze Burfict openly embraced it. The talented linebacker enjoyed playing the game in the most violent of ways. While most fans appreciate the hard and heavy hits that take place on the field, it’s rare to find anyone who appreciates the way Burfict plays.

For years on end, Burfict would wrap up defenders and hit them with an extra shot after the whistle. The former Cincinnati Bengal was well known for knocking opposing players out of the game and would openly smile in the faces of fans as they booed tirelessly.

While the rap sheet of Burfict is a long one, he’s well known for taking his physical play to a whole other level whenever he was matched up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. During a 2016 playoff game between them, the Bengals enjoyed a one-point lead with only a few seconds left on the clock with the Steelers driving down the field. To help stop their momentum and looking to put a serious hurting on wide receiver Antonio Brown, Burfict laid him out with a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit.

No matter the arena, the boos that were aimed in the direction of Burfict were always the loudest. It wasn’t just the fans who had little to no respect for him but his fellow peers as well. In November of 2018 in a game against the Baltimore Ravens, offensive lineman Marshal Yanda spit right into the face of Burfict.

Considering his track record, not many were feeling sorry for him.