Back in 2017, then rookie WR JuJu Smith-Schuster stole the hearts of Pittsburgh Steelers fans as he laid a punishing hit on Cincinnati Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict. Throughout the few years prior, Burfict had established himself as a villain, not only to the Steelers but around the league as well.
Questionable hits and antics earned Burfict that reputation. He was suspended for the first three games of that same season for a hit on a defenseless receiver, for example. So Smith-Schuster’s hit was viewed pretty favorably from Steelers fans. It did garner a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness, and Smith-Schuster received a one-game suspension.