The Cincinnati Bengals might be fighting to earn a playoff spot. Still, wide receiver Jermaine Burton is battling a different opponent: the prospect of being evicted from his apartment, alongside a lawsuit for damages. In documents filed with the Hamilton County Municipal Court, the property management company Radius Acquisition LLC is pursuing eviction of Burton from his residence at Radius at the Banks apartments. Beyond the order to vacate, the suit alleges over $2,500 in unpaid rent and additional compensation for property damage.
Radius Acquisition's legal challenge was lodged last Monday, coincidentally aligning with a noticeable absence of Burton during the Bengals' crucial game against the Pittsburgh Steelers—a game in which Cincinnati's coaching staff decided to leave him off the travel roster with little elaboration on the reasoning. According to a statement obtained by The Cincinnati Enquirer, Radius had provided a three-day notice to Burton to leave the apartment on December 17, a directive he ignored, forcing the issue into the courts.
Burton's legal troubles align with a trend of off-field issues for the rookie, who missed another game earlier in the season—a "no call, no show" incident before a match against the Raiders. His performance as a third-round pick in the NFL Draft was promising at the outset, but as the season progressed, these issues starkly contrasted with his on-field potential. This recent event marks a rocky ending to his first year with the Bengals, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
Amid all this, Burton confirmed the receipt of his court summons and is due to address the eviction and claims against him in a scheduled appearance before the Hamilton County Municipal Court on January 24. The property owner is seeking overdue rent and "$10,000 to compensate Plaintiff for injury to the premises above and beyond ordinary wear and tear," per court documents outlined by Local12 News. What this may portend for Burton's tenure with the Bengals, or his professional football career, remains as uncertain as the outcome of his legal entanglement.
