Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan.
Houston Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended by the NFL without pay for three games for repeatedly violating player safety rules after hitting Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence in the head, causing the quarterback to suffer a concussion.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan announced the suspension Tuesday, saying in a letter to Al-Shaair that the league deemed the hit “unacceptable” and that his “continued disregard” for player safety rules “will not be tolerated.”
Al-Shaair was ejected in the second quarter of Houston’s win over Jacksonville after a violent hit to Lawrence’s helmet as he was sliding, causing the quarterback to suffer a concussion.
“You engaged in a play that the NFL considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the rules of the game,” Runyan wrote. “The video shows that you struck the head/neck area of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly slid feet first… 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.”
Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit, movements consistent with what is known as the “fencing response,” a common reflex after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and surrounded Al-Shaair.
Runyan claimed in his letter that Al-Shaair “proceeded to engage in a fight, which escalated when you took an opponent down by pulling him by the helmet facemask.” He added that after being ejected, the six-year veteran player “removed his helmet and again confronted his opponent as he walked down the field, leading to another physical confrontation near the end zone.”
Al-Shaair has the option to appeal the suspension. If he serves all three games, he will be eligible to return in Houston’s regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Last week, Al-Shaair was penalized and subsequently fined $11,255 for a late, out-of-bounds hit on Titans running back Tony Pollard. He was also fined $11,817 earlier in the season for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline during Week 2. That incident occurred amid a fight that followed a hard hit on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline that was not called.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game and all those who play, coach and enjoy watching it is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” Runyan wrote. “Your continued disregard for the rules of the NFL game puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents at risk and will not be tolerated.”
CREDITS:
Director: Alejandro Bernal
Text: Max Hackenbroich
