Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended by the NFL for three games without pay after his brutal hit on Trevor Lawrence at the weekend.
Al-Shaair was ejected from Houston’s 23-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars after wiping out Lawrence with a dangerous tackle which sparked a bench-clearing brawl between both teams.
He then had to be held back by his Texans teammates as the melee ensued while Lawrence, who was eventually carted off the field with a concussion, laid motionless on the turf.
In the wake of his hit on the Jaguars quarterback, the NFL has announced that Al-Shaair will serve a three-game suspension without pay, having also taken into account his role in the mass brawl as well as some of his previous offenses.
In a letter to the Texans defender, NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan told him that he produced a tackle the league ‘considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules.’
‘Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,’ the letter continued. ‘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.
Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended by the NFL for three games after his hit on Trevor Lawrence
Al-Shaair was ejected from Houston’s win over Jacksonville for this illegal tackle on Lawrence
‘After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask. After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.
‘Your 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…
‘Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.’
Al-Shaair’s hit that concussed Lawrence is not the first controversial action taken on the gridiron by the Houston star.
During his final season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, the linebacker went for Tom Brady’s throat during a sack attempt.
After Brady released the ball, Al-Shaair wrapped his right hand around the Hall of Fame quarterback’s throat in a moment which quickly went viral.
And during the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he also punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.
Al-Shaair, who is also under fire for wearing a controversial political message on his cleats against the Jaguars, issued an apology to Lawrence on Monday while insisting it was never his intention to hurt him.
Al-Shaair had to be held back by his teammates as he tried to fight Jacksonville players
He wrote on social media: ‘I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that.
‘My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play. And when the game is over go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal it’s just competition! We both are trying to do the same thing which is provide for our families!
‘I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.
‘Before the game we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them especially one that’s deemed “late” or “unnecessary”.
‘To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that.
‘To the rest of the people who l’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you.
‘God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.’
