The Cincinnati Bengals are investigating a disturbing domestic violence incident involving rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton, ESPN has learned. According to a police report obtained Thursday, the 23-year-old allegedly choked his ex-girlfriend and held a knife to his own neck during a dispute at her apartment on Dec. 30.
The incident began after Burton and the 19-year-old woman, who had been dating since September, were out drinking in the early morning hours. When the woman refused to show Burton an “old Tweet,” he allegedly broke into her home, grabbed a knife from the dishwasher, and threatened to kill himself.
The ex-girlfriend told police Burton choked her in the hallway and broke her phone before leaving the scene. She declined to file charges but said it was not an isolated incident, alleging Burton had been “pretty abusive” and pushed her down a flight of stairs in a separate encounter on Dec. 21 after drinking at his residence. Police were not notified at that time.
“Pretty Abusive” History and Character Concerns
This is not the first time Burton’s conduct has raised red flags. Coming out of Alabama, there were already questions about his character after a 2022 video showed him striking a woman in the head as she stormed the field following a loss to Tennessee.
“It was something that we talked about with him just to hear what he had to say about it,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said last April. “We did our research on all these guys that we’ve talked to and made sure we’re aware of every incident they’ve been a part of.”
– Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach
Despite those assurances, Burton struggled on and off the field in his rookie year. He was a healthy scratch in Week 9 for missing a walkthrough, finished with just 4 catches for 107 yards in 14 games, and now faces disturbing allegations of domestic abuse.
Bengals Investigating, NFL Likely to Follow
The Bengals said they are gathering additional details and evaluating the situation before commenting further. But given the seriousness of the accusations and prior concerns about Burton’s character, significant discipline from the team and league appears likely.
Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, players can face suspension even without criminal charges. And with domestic violence a hot-button issue, the league has historically taken a hard line, issuing lengthy bans to the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Derrius Guice and Josh Brown in recent years.
Disappointing End to Disappointing Rookie Year
Selected in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft, big things were expected of the explosive Alabama product. But Burton never carved out a consistent role, struggling to grasp the playbook and frustrating coaches with lapses in focus and preparation.
Now, his Bengals tenure may be over before it ever really began. And while domestic violence accusations should always be evaluated thoroughly and fairly, the disturbing details in the police report, combined with prior character concerns, paint a troubling picture that will be difficult to overcome.
As the investigation unfolds, Burton’s NFL future very much hangs in the balance. For a talented player with a checkered past, it’s a disappointing development in an already disappointing rookie year, one that could carry significant consequences both on and off the field.
