Bengals wide receiver’s mysterious absence from season finale comes days after alleged assault: report
Jermaine Burton did not travel with Cincinnati Bengals over the weekend, and now it seems there’s a reason why.
The Cincinnati Enquirer says it made a public records request to local police after the coaching staff decided Burton would not join the team for Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh Steelers.
The petition produced two reports and a recording of a 911 call from a woman who claimed Burton assaulted her on the morning of Dec. 30, three days before the game.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (81) warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts on August 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. (Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Enquirer reported that the two were out together and got into an argument. Later, Burton allegedly followed the woman to her apartment, choked her and stole her phone, threatening to kill himself while holding a knife to her throat.
“Jermaine Burton from the Bengals just broke into my house,” the woman said in the 911 call, according to the source. “He broke my phone. … He was, like, pretty abusive. He does a lot of things that I don’t tolerate.”
The woman also told police that Burton “broke into my house” and “hit me and left.”
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton warms up before a game against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 23, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. (Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“We are aware of the information regarding Jermaine Burton. 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.
While playing for Alabama in 2022 Burton reportedly he punched a Tennessee fan who stormed the field after the Volunteers beat the Crimson Tide.
After the Bengals selected Burton in the third round, likely as an eventual replacement for Tee Higgins, head coach Zac Taylor said he felt “really comfortable” with selecting him despite concerns about his character.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (81) heads to the locker room during halftime of the Week 11 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Nov. 17, 2024. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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Burton appeared in 14 games but was rarely on the pitch, never recording half the attacking snaps in any competition. He was targeted only 14 times and had four receptions for 107 yards on the season.
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