The NFL has announced a three-game suspension for Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship. Al-Shaair was ejected from Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars for his hit on Trevor Lawrence.
Al-Shaair delivered a hard hit to Lawrence midway through the second quarter of the Texans’ victory. Lawrence, returning to the field after missing time with a shoulder injury, scrambled up the left side of the field on a second-and-7 play and slid after traveling for a 6-yard gain. While already on his slide, Al-Shaair could be seen lunging toward Lawrence and hitting the quarterback hard in the head with his forearm.
Lawrence was on the field before being taken to the locker room and ultimately ruled out due to a concussion.
In a letter to Al-Shaair, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan noted that the Texans linebacker has committed multiple personal foul offenses and sportsmanship-related rule violations in recent seasons:
“During your game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 1, with 4:20 left in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the rules of the game. The video shows you hitting your head /neck area of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly falls into a feet-first slide… You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area. of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”
“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a fight, which escalated when you knocked an opponent to the ground by his mask. After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and returned to confront his opponent as he walked down the field, which began another physical confrontation near the end zone.
“Their lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL… Their continued disregard for the NFL’s rules of the game jeopardizes the health and safety. Both you and your opponents are in danger and will not be tolerated.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return to the Texans’ active roster following the team’s Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens, making his earliest return Jan. 5 against the Tennessee Titans. Al-Shaair can appeal the suspension, per the NFL collective bargaining agreement, and will be suspended without pay.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair on Tuesday, pointing out how difficult it is for defensive players to handle the situation when a quarterback slides late. He also criticized the Jaguars for overreacting to the hit.
“With the whole Azeez situation, we support Azeez,” Ryans said, via KPRC2. “It’s twofold. A lot of quarterbacks today try to take advantage of the rule or slide late and try to get an extra yard. You’re a defender, a lot of the responsibility falls on the player. Whether it’s on the bench or the quarterback field, you don’t need what a player is thinking, you don’t know if a player stays up and keeps running. you’re late you slide and hit the guy.
“It’s unfortunate that Trevor got hurt. I hope Trevor is OK. But also, when you’re sliding, you have to duck. Going out of bounds or ducking, that rule is there to protect the quarterbacks. We want our quarterbacks of field they have to be safe in the league. So we just have to be safe and when we slide, make sure we keep our heads down the whole time, Azeez hits the guy, but his sideline overreacts. a hand-to-hand combat. But it wasn’t our boys. “His team overreacted, dragging our guy, pushing him to the bench, so that’s not necessary on that side.”
Ryans also praised Al-Shaair’s character and defended him against accusations of being a dirty player.
“He’s an exceptional leader for us. He’s a really good leader for us and plays the game the right way,” Ryans said. “His intention is never to hurt anyone while playing. Anyone who knows Azeez, talks to Azeez, no one with a bigger heart than Azeez. This guy is a special guy I’ve known since 2019. Special young man, love working with him.
“For any image that is painted of him as a dirty player or doing something intentional, that is the exact opposite of what Azeez is. People who know Azeez, they know how he plays. Yes, he plays it fast. He plays it physically.” . . But sometimes that physical nature is misunderstood in today’s game.”
