Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended three games by the NFL on Tuesday for multiple player safety violations following his hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion. The NFL and the NFL players association proposed a one-day suspension later.
Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan noted that he has had many charges for his mistakes and violations of sports-related rules in recent seasons.
“You led with your arm and helmet and delivered a powerful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact,” Runyan wrote. “After the illegal hit, you continued to fight, and it escalated when you dragged your opponent down with a face mask. After the referee declared you unfit and your unsportsmanlike conduct, you took off your helmet and rejoined your opponent as you walked down and across the field, starting another confrontation. physically close to the end point.
“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 safety and that of your opponents is at risk and will not be tolerated.”
Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence jumped left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 victory Sunday. He began a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and released the defenseless quarterback.
Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit — a movement associated with the so-called “call response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes when his teammates came to his defense and attacked Al-Shaair.
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Houston general manager Nick Caserio defended Al-Shaair and said he doesn’t believe the league uses consistency in handing out punishments like these.
“I probably speak for a lot of teams, not just the Houston Texans, but I think every team is asking for league parity,” he said. “And I can say that in this case, frankly, there is no consensus at all regarding the level of behavior that has been given.”
Al-Shaair will not be eligible to return to Houston’s active roster until after the team’s Christmas Day game against Baltimore. Al-Shaair has a base salary of $1.5 million this season, meaning it would cost about $265,000 to miss three games.
This is the third time this season that Al-Shaair has been punished by this league. Last week, he was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late out of bounds pass on Titans running back Tony Pollard.
He was fined earlier this year after hitting Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. It happened during an altercation that started after his hard hit to quarterback Caleb Williams near the end of the line went unmarked.
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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