Cincinnati Bengals’ Jermaine Burton Accused of Domestic Dispute,Raising Questions About His Future
Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver police incident report obtained by ESPN. the incident, which occurred on Dec. 30, has cast a shadow over Burton’s young NFL career and raised questions about his conduct both on and off the field.
The 19-year-old woman told police that Burton broke into her home hours after the two had been out drinking. She alleged that he choked her in the hallway of her apartment complex, broke into her residence, grabbed a knife from her dishwasher, and held it to his own neck while threatening to kill himself. Burton then reportedly broke her phone and left the scene.
“This is the second time he’s broken my phone in the past month,” the woman told police. “He broke my phone and hit me and he left.”
Despite the severity of the allegations, the woman declined to press charges. Burton’s agent has not responded to requests for comment,leaving many to speculate about the wide receiver’s future with the /name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers”>Pittsburgh Steelers, a decision confirmed by head coach zac Taylor. “We will continue to evaluate as we gather additional details and will have no further comment at this time,” the Bengals said in a statement.This is not the first time Burton’s behaviour has come under scrutiny. In 2022, while playing for video surfaced showing him striking a woman in the head as fans stormed the field following a loss to /name/lv/las-vegas-raiders”>Las Vegas Raiders after missing a walkthrough. While he eventually became the team’s starting kick returner, his offensive contributions were minimal, with just four catches for 107 receiving yards in 14 games.
Adding to Burton’s off-field troubles,his former landlord filed an eviction notice and civil lawsuit against him on Dec. 23 for unpaid rent and $10,000 in damages for “beyond ordinary wear and tear.”
As the Bengals continue to evaluate Burton’s future, the allegations have sparked a broader conversation about accountability and conduct in professional sports.
Key Details of the Incident
| Detail | Facts |
|———————————|———————————————————————————|
| Date of Incident | December 30, 2024 |
| Allegations | Choking, breaking and entering, threats of self-harm, and property damage |
| Woman’s Statement | “This is the second time he’s broken my phone in the past month.” |
| Legal Action | no charges filed; woman declined to press charges |
| Bengals’ Response | “We will continue to evaluate as we gather additional details.” |
| Previous Incident | 2022 video showed Burton striking a woman during a field storming incident |
The Bengals organization now faces a critical decision regarding Burton’s future.With his rookie season marred by both on-field struggles and off-field controversies, the team must weigh the potential risks and rewards of retaining the young receiver.
As the investigation unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Bengals handle this delicate situation. For now, Burton’s career hangs in the balance, and the spotlight on his conduct grows ever brighter.