Azeez Al-Shaair plans to appeal his three-game suspension for his hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Wednesday afternoon.
Houston Texans fans now know who will serve as the appeal officer for the case.
Former NFL offensive lineman and current Nashville radio host Ramon Foster will hear the case after being jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA earlier this week. Should he agree with Al-Shaair’s claim, the suspension could be dismissed or lowered to a lesser time frame.
Foster serving on the case could benefit Al-Shaair’s plea, espeically given their relationship with the city of Nashville. Al-Shaair played for the Tennessee Titans in 2023 and led the team in tackles.
Ramon Foster is the hearing officer in today’s appeal hearing for the three-game suspension of Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair.
Foster was jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2024
Foster, a former teammate of Texans legend Arian Foster while at Tennesseee, works on the morning show of the Titans’ radio broadcast network on 104.5 F.M. The Zone.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, wrote in the suspension letter the linebacker was involved in a play that the league considers “unacceptable and a serious violation of playing rules.
“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Runyan wrote. “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.”
Ramon Foster will hear Al-Shaair’s appeal:
🔴Offensive lineman 👎
🟢Pittsburgh Steeler who played with some genuinely psychopathic defensive players 👍
🟢Nickname was Big Ragu 👍 https://t.co/oDVMOsYObf— Seth Payne (@SethCPayne) December 4, 2024
Foster will be the liaison between the two sides before a final verdict is made. A decision on the suspension is expected to be made before the end of the week.
The Texans are on a bye this week but will return next Sunday to NRG Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15.