{"id":174529,"date":"2024-05-21T10:37:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T14:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=174529"},"modified":"2024-05-21T10:37:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T14:37:24","slug":"longest-nfl-suspensions-notorious-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/05\/21\/longest-nfl-suspensions-notorious-players\/","title":{"rendered":"The Longest NFL Suspensions for the Most Notorious Players in the Modern Era"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">The longest susp<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">ensions in NFL<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0history have<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0had significant<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0impacts on both<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0the league and<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0the players involved<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">. These suspensions often<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0stem from serious<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0violations of<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0league policies<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">, including substance<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0abuse, personal<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0conduct, and<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">\u00a0on-field behavior<\/span><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Some players have had their suspensions define their career, while others have bounced back off the field in their attempt to win back some of what they lost. These most notorious NFL players will always be remembered for the suspensions first, careers second.<\/p>\n<p>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/05\/20\/toughest-mlb-suspensions-baseball-history\/\" target=\"_self\">The Toughest Suspensions in Baseball History<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Longest NFL Suspensions in History<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Michael Vick &#8211; Indefinite suspension (2007-2009, reinstated in 2009)<\/h3>\n<p>Vick was suspended indefinitely in 2007 for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. He missed the entire 2007 and 2008 seasons before being reinstated in July 2009.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\"><strong>Impact on the\u00a0NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">Vick&#8217;s suspension\u00a0for his involvement\u00a0in a dogfighting ring\u00a0was a major scandal\u00a0that brought\u00a0negative attention\u00a0to the NFL. It\u00a0highlighted issues\u00a0of player conduct\u00a0and the league&#8217;s response to\u00a0criminal activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">The case led\u00a0to increased\u00a0scrutiny and\u00a0stricter enforcement\u00a0of the NFL&#8217;s personal\u00a0conduct policy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\"><strong>Impact on\u00a0Vick:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">Vick served\u00a023 months in\u00a0prison, missing\u00a0the 2007 and\u00a02008 seasons, and incurred\u00a0significant financial\u00a0losses, including\u00a0filing for bankruptcy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">Upon\u00a0his return, Vick worked to\u00a0rehabilitate his\u00a0image by collaborating\u00a0with The Humane\u00a0Society and advocating\u00a0against animal\u00a0cruelty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"animate-in fade-in-25 duration-700\">He\u00a0made a successful\u00a0comeback, winning\u00a0the NFL Comeback Player of\u00a0the Year award\u00a0in 2010 and continuing\u00a0to influence\u00a0younger generations\u00a0of players.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wqwBKABJaDQ?si=8doh0IYhVbbBX6MC\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>2. Vontaze Burfict &#8211; Remainder of 2019 season (12 games)<\/h3>\n<p>Burfict, an Oakland linebacker, was suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season (12 games) for repeated violations of the league&#8217;s player safety policies, including a helmet-to-helmet hit. This was the longest suspension ever for on-field actions.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Burfict&#8217;s suspension for repeated violations of player safety policies, including a helmet-to-helmet hit, underscored the NFL&#8217;s commitment to player safety and the enforcement of rules designed to protect players from head injuries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It set a precedent for the length of suspensions related to on-field conduct, particularly concerning dangerous hits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Burfict:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">The suspension effectively ended Burfict&#8217;s season and cast a shadow over his career, emphasizing his reputation for dangerous play.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It served as a warning to other players about the consequences of repeated violations of safety rules.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8fD1Jomhc5Q?si=WF-PDcAK6s6Rghgj\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>3. Josh Brent &#8211; 10 games (2014)<\/h3>\n<p>Brent, a Dallas defensive tackle, was suspended for 10 games in 2014 for his role in a drunk driving incident that killed a teammate. He also served 180 days in jail.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Brent&#8217;s suspension for his role in a drunk driving incident that resulted in the death of a teammate brought attention to the issue of substance abuse and driving under the influence among NFL players.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It led to increased efforts by the league to address substance abuse and promote responsible behavior off the field.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Brent:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Brent served 180 days in jail and faced significant personal and professional consequences, including a lengthy suspension and damage to his reputation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>4. Plaxico Burress &#8211; 2 years (2009-2010)<\/h3>\n<p>Burress was suspended for 2 years after accidentally shooting himself in the leg at a nightclub in 2008. He served nearly 2 years in prison.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Burress&#8217;s suspension for accidentally shooting himself highlighted issues related to gun safety and the personal conduct of players.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It prompted the NFL to reinforce its policies on player conduct and the legal responsibilities of its athletes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Burress:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Burress served nearly two years in prison, which significantly disrupted his career and personal life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">His case served as a cautionary tale for other players regarding the importance of responsible behavior.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FpZuzN4fL2s?si=-szt1CpmOfkl67cP\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>5. Donte&#8217; Stallworth &#8211; Entire 2009 season<\/h3>\n<p>Stallworth was suspended for the entire 2009 season after killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence. He served 24 days in jail.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Stallworth&#8217;s suspension for killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence brought further attention to the issue of DUI among players.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It reinforced the NFL&#8217;s stance on severe penalties for actions that result in loss of life or serious injury.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Stallworth:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Stallworth served 24 days in jail and faced a year-long suspension, which impacted his career and public image.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">His case contributed to ongoing discussions about player conduct and the consequences of irresponsible behavior.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>6. Martavis Bryant &#8211; Indefinite suspension (2016-2019, reinstated in 2019)<\/h3>\n<p>Martavis Bryant was suspended indefinitely in 2016 for violating the substance abuse policy. He was <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/08\/10\/martavis-bryant-reinstated-nfl\/\" target=\"_self\">conditionally reinstated in 2017<\/a> but suspended again in 2018 before being fully reinstated in 2019.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Bryant&#8217;s suspension for violating the substance abuse policy highlighted the ongoing issue of drug use among players.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It led to discussions about the effectiveness of the NFL&#8217;s substance abuse policy and the support systems in place for players struggling with addiction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Bryant:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Bryant&#8217;s career was significantly disrupted by his suspension, affecting his performance and opportunities in the league.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">His case underscored the challenges players face in overcoming substance abuse issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>7. Aldon Smith &#8211; Suspended from 2015-2020<\/h3>\n<p>Smith was suspended in 2015 for violating the substance abuse policy. His suspension lasted until he was reinstated and signed by Dallas in 2020.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Smith&#8217;s suspension for substance abuse violations and legal issues emphasized the need for comprehensive support and rehabilitation programs for players.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It highlighted the league&#8217;s commitment to enforcing its policies on substance abuse and personal conduct.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Smith:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Smith&#8217;s career was derailed by his suspension, and he struggled to return to the NFL.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">His case illustrated the long-term consequences of repeated violations and the importance of addressing underlying issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>8. Ray Rice &#8211; 12 weeks (2014)<\/h3>\n<p>Rice was initially suspended 2 games in 2014 for domestic violence, but after video surfaced, he was suspended indefinitely (12 weeks of the season) before being reinstated but never signed.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Rice&#8217;s suspension for domestic violence led to widespread criticism of the NFL&#8217;s handling of such cases and prompted changes to the league&#8217;s personal conduct policy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It increased awareness and advocacy for stronger measures against domestic violence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Rice:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Rice&#8217;s career effectively ended after the suspension, as no team signed him following his reinstatement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">His case became a pivotal moment in the NFL&#8217;s approach to domestic violence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jo-CgKQPK_E?si=n5EJWYKxTd_WFl7A\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>9. Antonio Brown &#8211; 8 games (2020)<\/h3>\n<p>Brown was suspended 8 games in 2020 for violating the personal conduct policy, including sending threatening texts and a dispute with a moving company employee.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Brown&#8217;s suspension for violating the personal conduct policy, including sending threatening texts and a dispute with a moving company employee, highlighted the league&#8217;s stance on off-field behavior.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It reinforced the importance of maintaining professional conduct and the consequences of failing to do so.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Brown:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Brown&#8217;s suspension affected his career and public image, leading to a period of instability and controversy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">His case served as a reminder of the impact of personal conduct on professional opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>10. Josh Gordon &#8211; 6 games (multiple suspensions)<\/h3>\n<p>Gordon has been suspended 6 times since 2013 for violating the substance abuse policy, including the entire 2015 season. Yes, six.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on the NFL:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Gordon&#8217;s repeated suspensions for violating the substance abuse policy highlighted the challenges the league faces in addressing drug use among players.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">It led to ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of the NFL&#8217;s substance abuse program and the need for better support systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\"><strong>Impact on Gordon:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-disc pl-8\">\n<li><span class=\"\">Gordon&#8217;s career has been significantly affected by his suspensions, with multiple interruptions and challenges in maintaining consistent performance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\">His case underscores the difficulties players face in overcoming substance abuse and the importance of comprehensive support and rehabilitation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"\">These suspensions have had far-reaching effects on the NFL, prompting changes in policies and increasing awareness of issues such as substance abuse, personal conduct, and player safety. For the players involved, the suspensions have often resulted in significant personal and professional consequences, serving as cautionary tales for others in the league.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The longest suspensions in NFL\u00a0history have\u00a0had significant\u00a0impacts on both\u00a0the league and\u00a0the players involved. These suspensions often\u00a0stem from serious\u00a0violations of\u00a0league policies, including substance\u00a0abuse, personal\u00a0conduct, and\u00a0on-field behavior.\u00a0 Some players have had their suspensions define their career, while others have bounced back off the field in their attempt to win back some of what they lost. These most [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":174530,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,54],"tags":[768,138,32594,9738,32593,507,84,191,7592,1590,32595,1379],"class_list":["post-174529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-editorials","tag-aldon-smith","tag-antonio-brown","tag-donte-stallworth","tag-history","tag-josh-brent","tag-josh-gordon","tag-martavis-bryant","tag-michael-vick","tag-plaxico-burress","tag-ray-rice","tag-suspension","tag-vontaze-burfict"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=174529"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174529\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/174530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=174529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=174529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=174529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}