By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The NFL has suspended Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for three games on Tuesday morning. He was suspended for his reckless hit on Jacksonville Jaguars star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The late hit on Lawrence caused the quarterback to be motionless on the ground for several moments as his teammates went to bat for him. Lawrence would eventually get up off the ground and be carted off the field.
NFL’s Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan said the play was “unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules.”
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“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Runyan said in a letter to Al-Shaair. “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.
The Jaguars and Texans had a small fight before the officials got to play under order again.
“You proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his face mask,” the letter continued. “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.”
The 27-year-old Al-Shaair is in his first season with the Texans. He signed a three-year deal with the team last March.
Lawrence was sliding for a first down when Al-Shaair hit the quarterback. The signal caller fell one yard short of the first down on the play.
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But the condition of Lawrence was more concerning. He was ruled out of the game with a concussion, while Al-Shaair was ejected for his actions.
“To Trevor, I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening,” Al-Shaair wrote in a social media post after the incident. “Before the game, we spoke and I told you how great it was 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 was ruled ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.’”
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