Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL with out pay for 3 video games Tuesday for repeated violations of participant security guidelines following his violent hit to the pinnacle of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair’s punishment was introduced by NFL vice chairman of soccer operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan famous that he has had a number of offenses for private fouls and sportsmanship-related guidelines violations in current seasons.
Again within the beginning lineup after lacking two video games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play within the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide earlier than Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.
In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan known as the hit “unacceptable and a critical violation of the enjoying guidelines”.
“Video reveals you placing the pinnacle/neck space of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Runyan wrote. “You led together with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the pinnacle/neck space of your opponent while you had time and area to keep away from such contact.”
Al-Shaair is interesting the suspension, in keeping with an individual with data of the choice.
The particular person spoke to the Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the enchantment is pending.
Houston normal supervisor Nick Caserio defended Al-Shaair and mentioned he doesn’t imagine the league is utilizing consistency in issuing punishments like these.
“I most likely converse for lots of groups, not solely the Houston Texans, however I feel that’s all groups ask for is consistency from the league,” he mentioned. “And I’d say on this scenario, fairly frankly, there’s no consistency in any respect relative to the extent of self-discipline that’s been handed down.”
Caserio pointed to different gamers who’ve been ejected for unlawful hits this season who’ve both not been suspended or solely suspended for one sport.
If the suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair gained’t be eligible to return to Houston’s lively roster till after the workforce’s Christmas Day sport towards the Baltimore Ravens. Al-Shaair has a base wage of $1.5m this season, that means it can price him about $265,000 if the three-game suspension is upheld.
Lawrence clenched each fists after the hit – actions according to what’s known as the “fencing response”, which might be widespread after a traumatic mind damage. He was on the bottom for a number of minutes as teammates got here to his protection and mobbed Al-Shaair in what escalated right into a brawl.
As Al-Shaair was leaving the sector after being ejected, followers began screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting one other altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the sector when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson within the helmet. The fan was later ejected.
Runyan additionally outlined Al-Shaair’s conduct after the hit in saying the suspension.
“After the unlawful hit, you proceeded to interact in a brawl, which you escalated while you pulled an opponent right down to the bottom by his facemask,” he wrote. “After the referee introduced that you just had been disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you eliminated your helmet and reengaged together with your opponent whereas strolling down and throughout the sector, which began one other bodily confrontation close to the tip zone.”
That is the third time this season Al-Shaair has been punished by the league. Final week, he was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans operating again Tony Pollard.
He was fined earlier this 12 months after he punched Bears operating again Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred throughout a scuffle that began after his arduous shot on quarterback Caleb Williams close to the sideline wasn’t flagged.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the sport of soccer and all those that play, coach, and luxuriate in watching it, is troubling and doesn’t mirror the core values of the NFL,” Runyan informed Al-Shaair within the letter. “Your continued disregard for NFL enjoying guidelines places the well being and security of each you and your opponents in jeopardy and won’t be tolerated.”
Caserio was outraged by that a part of Runyan’s letter.
“A very powerful factor is the well being and security of the gamers and the well being and effectively being of Trevor and hopefully Trevor goes to be OK,” Caserio mentioned. “However to talk on Azeez’s intentionality about what he meant to do and among the feedback which have been made fairly frankly, it’s embarrassing. So we’re going to assist Azeez. We love the whole lot about him. We’re glad he’s part of this workforce.”
Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence in a protracted submit on X on Monday, the place he mentioned he didn’t see Lawrence sliding till “it was too late” and that it occurred “within the blink of a watch” earlier than saying he was sorry for the hit.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson mentioned Sunday it was a play that ”actually has no enterprise being in our league,” and mentioned Monday that the workforce is contemplating shutting Lawrence down for the season.
Former Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman was suspended for 3 video games for repeatedly violating participant security guidelines final November. His suspension was decreased to 2 video games following an enchantment.
Kareem Jackson had a suspension for repeatedly violating participant security decreased from 4 video games to 2 video games final 12 months whereas enjoying for the Denver Broncos. He was suspended once more for 4 video games later within the season and that suspension was upheld.
