Former NFL linebacker Vontaze Burfict has never been known for holding back, and his latest comments are already reigniting one of football’s fiercest rivalries. In a brutally candid admission, Burfict revealed that his intense hatred for the Pittsburgh Steelers directly affected how aggressively he played against them — and how far he was willing to go.
Speaking openly about his reputation for crossing the line, Burfict pushed back on the idea that he constantly targeted opponents after the whistle. Instead, he made a distinction that instantly caught fans’ attention.
“I didn’t hit people after the play all the time. Just the Steelers. Fck the Steelers.”*
The quote perfectly captures the hostility that defined many battles between Burfict and Pittsburgh during his years with the Cincinnati Bengals. Those AFC North matchups were often among the league’s most heated games, packed with hard hits, bad blood, and unforgettable controversies.
Burfict became one of the NFL’s most polarizing players because of his physical style and repeated disciplinary issues. To Steelers fans, he often represented the villain. To others, he embodied old-school football taken to an extreme. His clashes with Pittsburgh frequently seemed personal, and his comments now confirm what many suspected for years — emotions went beyond normal rivalry.
Perhaps the most infamous chapter came during the Bengals-Steelers playoff battles, where tensions repeatedly boiled over and Burfict’s actions drew massive scrutiny. Years later, fans still debate whether he played with passion or crossed lines that should never be crossed.
His honesty may shock some people, but it also adds another layer to one of the NFL’s nastiest modern rivalries. Burfict didn’t just dislike Pittsburgh — he openly admits the emotion affected the way he played. And judging by the reaction online, Steelers fans probably haven’t forgiven him either.