Vontaze Burfict Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Vontaze DeLeon Burfict Jr. — A Turbulent Talent Carving His Legacy

From Los Angeles Roots to Football Prominence

Vontaze DeLeon Burfict Jr. was born on September 24, 1990 in Los Angeles, California — a birthdate and birthday that mark the beginning of a life forged in adversity and determination.

Raised in a challenging environment, Burfict’s upbringing was shaped by hardship. While precise details of his earliest family life remain private, what stands out is his rapid ascent in football — a path that would take him from high school standout to one of the most controversial defenders in NFL history. As a teen, he relocated to Corona, California, attending Centennial High School, where he quickly gained a reputation for ferocious play.

At Centennial, he delivered breakout performances, highlighted by 159 tackles, multiple sacks, interceptions, and fumble recoveries — contributing to an undefeated season and CIF state championship for his team.

Recognized as a five-star recruit and regarded as the top inside linebacker in the nation, he initially committed to one of the biggest college programs in the country, before ultimately picking Arizona State University (ASU) to play college football.

Making Waves at Arizona State — Promise and Turbulence

At Arizona State, Burfict wasted little time making his mark. As a true freshman, he earned starting time, and by his sophomore season rose to become a dominant defensive force — leading the Sun Devils in tackles. His combination of size (6'1″, 255 lb) and speed, along with instinctive play, drew lofty comparisons to elite linebackers.

Yet, even in college his aggressive style sometimes tipped into recklessness. Analysts praised his upside, but flagged concerns about discipline — both on and off the field. That tension between brilliance and volatility would haunt his professional career.

By the time he declared for the draft, many considered him one of the top linebacker prospects in the country; others warned that his uncontrolled intensity could be a liability.

The NFL — From Undrafted to Defensive Demon

In 2012 the odds were against him: despite his potential, doubts about discipline and performance at the pre-draft combine — including poor 40-yard dash and jumping results — caused him to go undrafted.

Still, he landed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent — a decision that would launch one of the most volatile careers in modern NFL history.

From his rookie season onward, Burfict made his presence felt. He led the Bengals in tackles his first year and emerged as a centerpiece of their defense.

At his best, he looked like a generational talent: instinctive reads, violent tackling, and play-changing hits. Some even compared him to legendary linebackers — yet that same ferocity also opened the door to controversy.

A Career Marked by Conflict — The High Price of Aggression

Burfict’s style — relentless, punishing, sometimes dangerous — became both his calling card and his curse. Multiple suspensions and fines accumulated over the years, as helmet-to-helmet hits, late hits, and dangerous tackles became a recurring pattern.

In 2019, after signing a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders, those issues came to a head. A helmet-to-helmet hit on an opponent led to his ejection and a season-ending suspension — the longest such suspension in modern NFL history for on-field misconduct.

The suspension effectively ended his NFL career; though he was reinstated in early 2020, he never took the field again.

His legacy remains polarizing: to some, a hard-hitting defensive force; to others, a symbol of out-of-control violence in a game increasingly conscious of player safety.

Money, Market Value, and the Question of Net Worth

Estimating the net worth of a former NFL player — particularly one with fines, suspensions, and an abrupt end — is notoriously tricky. According to one widely-cited source, Vontaze Burfict’s net worth is approximately US$12 million.

That valuation reflects his peak years — contract earnings, signing bonuses, and bonuses earned during his time in the league. However, it likely does not fully account for the financial impact of his suspension(s), fines, and lost salary due to bans. Indeed, during his career the league imposed fines totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars for repeated infractions.

At his 2019 contract with the Raiders, reports indicate he signed a one-year deal worth around US$2 million, including a signing bonus and some guaranteed money. 

Whether the $12 million net-worth figure remains accurate depends heavily on subsequent spending, investments, or income sources — none of which are publicly documented with certainty.

Personal Side: Relationships, Reputation, Redemption

Unlike many high-profile athletes, Burfict has kept much of his personal life out of the spotlight. Publicly available information about romantic relationships, family life, or post-NFL personal ventures is scarce. Some older reports mention a spouse named “Brandie,” but there is little verifiable, up-to-date evidence about current relationships.

What is clearer is the “relationship” between Burfict and the game itself — a tumultuous bond that blended loyalty, aggression, brilliance, and controversy. Coaches like Marvin Lewis reportedly invested time trying to coach him toward discipline and maturity, seeing in him more than just his worst plays.

In that sense, Burfict’s story transcends wins and losses. It’s a narrative about raw talent, flawed humanity, and the costs of channeling intensity in a sport that values both fire and control.

Why Vontaze Burfict Still Matters

Vontaze Burfict’s journey — from undrafted free agent to one of the most feared defenders in his generation — captures both the promise and peril of professional football. He demonstrated unfiltered passion and a rare ability to impact games, but also embodied the dangers of unchecked aggression in a sport increasingly scrutinized for player safety.

His estimated net worth provides one lens on success; his record of suspensions, fines, and definitive exit from the NFL provides another. Yet beyond stats and financials, Burfict’s legacy speaks to deeper tensions in contact sports — between physical dominance and responsibility, between reputation and redemption.

For writers, fans, and analysts alike, Burfict remains a cautionary tale: a career that soared on talent, stumbled on temper, and ended under a cloud — but one that continues to provoke debate about how sports balance intensity, ethics, and identity.