NOTES

When Texans veteran linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair chased down Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to the sideline, he delivered a hard, legal hit with his shoulder that sent the top overall pick flying to the ground.

There was no penalty for a late hit in what would have been a close call, but the Bears’ players were irate about the play. Al-Shaair was quickly surrounded by Williams’ teammates. And Al-Shaair emphasized after the game that he was being disrespected by the Bears’ players verbally and being shoved by players both in uniform and not in uniform.

So, Al-Shaair said he felt the need to defend himself. He punched Bears backup running back Roschon Johnson in the facemask. The officials missed the punch and Al-Shaair wasn’t penalized or ejected in the Texans’ 19-13 victory, but a big fine could be coming from the league office.

A first offense for fighting carries a $39,501 fine, and a second offense triggers a $79,004 fine.

“From my perspective, seeing Azeez, he had a big hit on the quarterback and everyone gets a little antsy when the quarterback gets hit on the sideline,” Ryans said. “But if the quarterback stays in, he’s going to get hit. Now, I think everybody’s a little sensitive when there are big hits in the league. We’re still playing a physical game. You are going to get hit hard if you are playing against us. This is just how we operate here.

“What happened after that, Azeez he’s surrounded by a lot of their players and also some staff, and they are surrounding them. We got people pushing Azeez and kicking so as a game, we have to be better, from protecting all players involved, especially when something happens on the opposite sideline. Just have to be better. We know from Azeez’s perspective, we can’t throw punches or anything like that. Just, overall, we just have to be able to protect players and it goes both ways. You got guys surrounding with one of our players, uniformed staff, and, in that little mix-up, that’s a problem, and we have to get it fixed.”

Johnson, a former University of Texas player, didn’t retaliate after he was punched and wrote on social media: “It took every bit of my soul not to thrash that boy.”

Al-Shaair said he was provoked and defended himself.

“Honestly when I got up and felt them push me to the ground, my instincts kicked in, trying to protect myself,” Al-Shaair told KPRC 2. “I didn’t see what happened until after I pushed him, punched him, whatever it is, I got to respect whatever comes with that. Obviously, I understand that’s not acceptable. That’s obviously not who I’m trying to be. I’m not trying to be a fake tough guy. I’ve played in this league for six years. I haven’t had anything like that happen. For that to happen on national television, that’s not my proudest moment.

“I take full accountability. In that aspect, my instincts kicked in. People saying all kind of crazy stuff, putting their hands on me, pushing on me. Some of those people didn’t even have pads on. I’m just confused. Why are you putting your hands on me. That’s the first lesson from kindergarten: Keep your hands to yourself.”

Chris Gordy