Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair appealing NFL three-game suspension

HOUSTON – Texans veteran linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended for three games by the NFL for his controversial tackle on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence that caused a concussion. 

The team captain is appealing the suspension under the NFL collective bargaining agreement, according to league sources, to try to reduce the punishment.

Under NFL rules, Al-Shaair’s appeal will be heard and decided by either of the following former NFL players who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL and NFL Players Association: Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae, or Jordy Nelson.

Al-Shaair, who issued an apology for the hit Monday, has never been suspended before. The suspension is the exact amount of time that former Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman was suspended for a year ago and it was reduced by one game. Former Texans safety Kareem Jackson was suspended for four games last season and the suspension was upheld.

In the NFL disciplinary letter from NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan to Al-Shaair explaining the suspension, they cited repeated violations of the rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship.

“During your game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 1, with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote. “Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide...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.”

“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.”

If the suspension is upheld and not reduced, Al-Shaair will be eligible to return following a Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.

If the three-game suspension upheld, Al-Shaair loses $112,745 per game check, including $83,333 per week salary, plus $29,411.76 per game active roster bonus. Total lost money at stake for Al-Shaair: $338,235.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair on Monday prior to the NFL suspension and emphasized that Lawrence slid late. A former Pro Bowl linebacker, Ryans noted that there’s an overreaction because of the injury.

During Sunday’s game against the Jaguars, Al-Shaair delivered a forearm to the facemask of sliding Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday, the concussion-causing hit knocked the former top overall pick out of the game.

And the controversial tackle that struck Lawrence in the chin with the back of his helmet striking the ground hard set off an intense debate and heated conversations around the league about whether it was a dirty play and what discipline was appropriate.

“With the entire Azeez situation, we stand behind Azeez and everything that came from that,” Ryans said. “Of course, unfortunate hit on the quarterback. But it’s twofold, right? I mean a lot of the quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule where they slide late and they try to get an extra yard and now you’re a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender whether it’s on the sideline or whether it’s on the quarterback, you don’t know what a guy thinking. You don’t know if a guy is standing up and he’s continuing to run, you don’t know and then you get a late slide and you hit the guy.

“Unfortunate that Trevor got hurt. Hope Trevor is OK, but it’s also, if we’re sliding, we have to get down. If we’re getting out of bounds, we get out of bounds and that rule is there to protect the quarterbacks and we want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league, so we just have to be safe. If we’re sliding, make sure we’re keeping our heads down. And the entire thing is Azeez, he hits the guy, but their sideline overreacts and it turns into a melee. It wasn’t our guys. It’s their team overreacted, pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline, so that’s uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sidelines, as well, with both teams.”

Additionally, Ryans defended Al-Shaair’s character. Al-Shaair, a deeply religious team captain elected by his teammates, is known for his kind disposition off the field and is a popular figure in the Texans’ locker room and a respected leader. Ryans has known Al-Shaair since he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

“I talk to Azeez every day,” Ryans said. “Azeez is a great person, exceptional leader for us. And Azeez is a really good player. And he plays the game the right way. His intent is never to hurt anyone as he’s playing the game. If anybody that knows Azeez and talks to Azeez, nobody with a bigger heart than Azeez. I mean, this guy is a special guy I’ve known since 2019. A special young man, love working with him and for any picture that’s painted that Azeez is a dirty player or doing something intentional, that’s the exact opposite of what Azeez is. People who know Azeez, they know him, they know how he plays the game. Yes, he plays it fast, he plays it physical, but sometimes that physical nature gets misunderstood in today’s game.”

“Azeez, the type of guy he is, he’s just a very caring guy. He’s an intentional leader, intentional with communicating and making sure that everybody’s on the same page. He wants to know more about his players. I remember just watching him coming in, new to the team and watching how he just interacted with the guys and they would walk around the field after practice and just to see his group continue to grow. Started off with just one or two guys and it ended up being about 15 guys just walking and talking on the field. After workouts were over, just getting to know each other, growing that tight bond as a team and that’s what Azeez brings. He brings that, he knows what it’s like to be a tight team and he knows the bond that you need to be a great team and that’s what he brings to our team. Just a great leader in all aspects, not just defense, offense, he’s – everybody. That’s a great human being and love working with Azeez.”

Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and there were two separate altercations stemming from the incident with Jaguars players irate at his illegal tackle. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, who wasn’t ejected for his retaliatory actions, shoved Al-Shaair to the ground immediately after the play and that led up to a huge fight by the Jaguars’ sideline and bench area.

The shot from Al-Shaair was immediately characterized as a “dirty hit,” by Jaguars players and by former players and television analysts. Texans players rose to Al-Shaair’s defense. And he issued a lengthy apology statement and explanation Monday morning, defending his character and intentions on social media after not conducting interviews after the game in the locker room.

“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could,” Al-Shaair wrote. “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 because it’s not personal, it’s just competition! I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happened 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.”

Al-Shaair was called several nasty names on social media, attacking him for his Muslim faith and for supporting the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund through the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats initiative.

“To the rest of the people who I’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 Islamaphobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character, which I don’t need to prove to any of you,” Al-Shaair wrote. “God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or a friend of mine knows my heart.”

And Al-Shaair’s teammates came to his defense, including defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. providing his perspective on what happened.

“Azeez plays fast, man, he plays physical,” Settle said. “He’s one of the faster linebackers. He’s not a dirty player, at all. I don’t think his intentions was to hurt him. He’s just trying to get us off the field, he’s trying to get the offense back on the field and we praise how he plays. We know he’s not intentional like that. Plays like that happen.

“I’m behind Azeez. That’s my brother. Even though it was a bad play, I’m behind him. He plays good ball. That was nothing back in the day. Obviously, the game has changed. We got to abide by the rules. I feel like we’ll do better in that situation next time. we don’t need to lose one of our stars on defense I feel like it’s a learning experience.”

On the play, Texans nickel Jimmie Ward was nearby as he was in the vicinity of the collision. Many have said Lawrence slid too late to protect himself. Several others have emphasized that shouldn’t matter.

“I feel like he slid late,” Ward said. “It’s a matter of seconds. You’ve got to make your mind up. I’ve been in these situations where the quarterback tries to get those extra yards instead of just giving himself up. I’m not saying who’s right or who’s wrong. I’m praying for Trevor and I hope he’s okay. Azeez plays real hard. That’s his mentality. He plays hard. I don’t think he tried to do it on purpose. It’s a matter of seconds and he’s trying to stop him from getting the first down.”

Lawrence appeared to be briefly unconscious before being ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion. Lawrence absorbed an elbow-forearm blow to his facemask. Lawrence was not taken to a hospital and later gave a positive update on social media.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote. “I’m home and feeling better.”

A sliding Lawrence, normally afforded protection from a huge hit like this one as a quarterback who was down on the field skidding across the turf, was absolutely nailed in the chin by Al-Shaair as he launched himself into the tackle to stop a sliding Lawrence. The Texans have a bye next week followed by a home game against the Miami Dolphins the following week.

“It’s unfortunate with the hit, with Azeez,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You know, it’s not what we’re coaching. Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play, not representative of who Azeez is.

“He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.”

Al-Shaair, signed to a three-year, $34 million contract this offseason, is a team captain who was involved in a controversial play earlier this season when he had a questionable hit on Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in the second week of the season.

Surrounded by Bears players on their sideline, Al-Shaair punched running back Roschon Johnson. The punch didn’t draw a penalty, but the league office fined Al-Shaair $11,817. Al-Shaair has never been suspended during his six years in the NFL after going undrafted out

It’s unfortunate with the hit, with Azeez,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You know, it’s not what we’re coaching. Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play, not representative of who Azeez is.

“He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.”

Al-Shaair, signed to a three-year, $34 million contract this offseason, is a team captain who was involved in a controversial play earlier this season when he had a questionable hit on Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in the second week of the season.

Surrounded by Bears players on their sideline, Al-Shaair punched running back Roschon Johnson. The punch didn’t draw a penalty, but the league office fined Al-Shaair $11,817. Al-Shaair has never been suspended during his six years in the NFL after going undrafted out of Florida Atlantic.

This latest situation has drawn heavy criticism, especially from Jaguars players.

“It was a dirty hit,” sEngram, who wasn’t ejected after shoving Al-Shaair to the ground, told Jacksonville reporters. “Obviously those hits are always in question. Trevor was going down and I saw it out of my peripheral, I got a pretty clear view of it, and in that moment, just instincts. It just didn’t feel like a clean hit, so just go stick up for my quarterback. I mean, I saw him sliding and then I saw the hit, and then just, honestly, it just took over. I just knew it was wrong. It was just a dirty play, and you stick up for your guys.”

Added Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen: “That was a dumb hit on his part. At the end of the day he’s just playing football, but the way we’ve changed the rules of how we play, we go over these things. We talk about these things. We know how to play football. A couple of years ago, that would’ve been a great hit, but now that wasn’t a good play on him. I am not going to sit up there and say, does he deserve to get suspended or not. That’s not my call at that moment. It wasn’t smart.”

After the pair of fights, Al-Shaair was ejected, per referee Land Clark to a pool reporter for “an illegal hit on the quarterback, unnecessary, to the neck and head area.”

Al-Shaair and Jaguars offensive guard Brandon Scherff argued before teammates Joe Mixon and Henry To’oTo’o intervened along with Will Anderson Jr. who was struck by a water bottle while walking Al-Shaair to the locker room. That fan was ejected.

Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones was ejected after leaving the bench to throw a punch at a Texans player.

The hit came at the close of Lawrence’s six-yard run and left him down on the ground with his arms in a fencing posture common from brain injuries. He was carted off the field. He wrote on social media Sunday night that he’s home and “feeling better.”

Texans players, including quarterback C.J. Stroud, expressed concern for Lawrence as well as support for Al-Shaair.

“I just want to say prayers to Trevor, I really hope and pray he’s okay,” Stroud said. “Prayers to his family as well. But, yeah, still rocking with Azeez. I don’t think that was his intent, and I pray that Trevor is okay and his family is right there with him.”

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said: “It’s a play that really has no business being in our league.”

Several players, including former NFL safety Ryan Clark were critical of Al-Shaair on social media.

“That’s bull by Azeez Al-Shaair!!” Clark wrote. “You just dive over the QB’s head when they slide. You make sure they go down but you don’t go to the players helmet like that. I 100% agree with an ejection. And 100% there’s supposed to be a fight! Jaguars did the right thing.

Lawrence was down on the ground and groggy for several minutes and appeared to use the fencing involuntary hand movement that is indicative of a serious concussion. He was carted off the field. Lawrence’s reaction to the hit was reminiscent of how Miami Dolphins oft-concussed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa moved his hands involuntarily after a concussion earlier this season.

Fox broadcaster Daryl Johnston, a retired former Dallas Cowboys fullback, was highly critical of Al-Shaair during the broadcast.

“It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said. “Everything. You’ll see this in slow motion and Azeez Al-Shaair does everything you’re trying to prevent in this situation. It’s reckless. It’s disrespectful.

“There’s an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him. And there’s opportunities to be physical and give big hits and play this game in that manner. And there’s other times when there’s a respect that you grant to your opponent.”

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.