Tag: Azeez Al-Shaair suspension

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s ‘Villian’ role is officially underway

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair is taking on the “villain” role now as the league announced he would serve a three-game suspension.

You wanted a villain, NFL?

Fine, Azeez Al-Shaair will wear the crown.

The Houston Texans veteran linebacker tweeted Wednesday night that he’s embracing the “villain role” after the league elected to uphold his three-game suspension for a hit in Sunday’s win that left Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence concussed.

“If you want me to be your villain, I’ll be your villain,” Al-Shaair wrote, followed by a middle finger emoji. “See you soon.”

Al-Shaair met with NFLPA representative Ramon Foster for his appeal meeting on Wednesday. After further review, Foster elected to make sure that the sixth-year linebacker served all three games.

Earlier this week, Al-Shaair issued an apology to Lawrence for the hit. Lawrence was placed on injured reserve Wednesday afternoon.

“To Trevor i genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening,” Al-Shaair wrote. “Before the game we spoke and I told you how great it was 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 was ruled ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.'”

Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration, told Al-Shaair in a letter that the hit was “unacceptable” and that his “continued disregard” for player safety rules “will not be tolerated.

“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,” Runyan wrote.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio criticized the league for its language in its letter announcing the initial ruling during Tuesday’s press conference and asked for consistency in how it hands out suspensions.

“For the league to make some of the commentary that it made about lack of sportsmanship … lack of paying attention to the rules,” Caserio said. “Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing.”

With the suspension being upheld, Al-Shaair will miss the Texans’ games against the Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens on Christmas Day.

He’ll be eligible to return for their regular-season finale against the Titans in Nashville. The sixth-year linebacker will also be forced to give up  $112,745 per game.

NFL comes to decision on Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension appeal

Appeals officer Ramon Foster has upheld Houston Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The NFL has reached a verdict.

Azeez Al-Shaair won’t be suiting up for the Houston Texans anytime soon.

According to the league office, the NFL will uphold Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension for the hit against Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence in Sunday’s win.

Al-Shaair, the Texans’ defensive captain, tried to appeal the suspension on Wednesday in a meeting with former NFL offensive lineman Ramon Foster. After further review, Foster upheld the length, meaning Al-Shaair won’t return until Week 18’s season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

During the second quarter on a second-and-7 play, Al-Shaair drilled Lawrence in the head as Lawrence was trying to slide, knocking him out and giving him a concussion. The hit led to a brawl between the two sides, eventually factoring into Al-Shaair’s ejection.

Since the incident, Al-Shaair has apologized for play on social media.  Lawrence was placed on injured reserve Wednesday afternoon, thus ending his season.

After the verdict,, Al-Shaair posted on social media, “IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! SEE YOU SOON…

Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration, wrote in his letter to Al-Shaair that the league deemed the hit “unacceptable” and that his “continued disregard” for rules governing player safety “will not be tolerated.”

“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,” Runyan wrote.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio called out the league Tuesday afrernoon for its language in its letter against Al-Shaair and asked for consistency in how it hands out suspensions.

“We’re talking about some of the commentary that has been made about his character, about the person that he is, about what his intentions are, from people who, quite frankly, don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair,” Caserio said.

“Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing.”

Al-Shaair, who signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Texans this offseason after a breakout year with the Tennessee Titans, will also forfeit $112,745 per game,

Here’s who’s residing over Azeez Al-Shaair’s appeal for three-game suspension

A former star for the Pittsburgh Steelers will oversee the appeal case for Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension.

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.

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.”

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.

Even Tom Brady is defending Azeez Al-Shaair after controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence

If the G.O.A.T. has a problem with Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension, the NFL might be in the wrong.

If someone sneezed wrong on Tom Brady, a 15-yard penalty would be in the works. That’s how much respect the seven-time Super Bowl champion earned during his two-decade career while serving as the face of the NFL.

Brady also knows that the NFL is a violent game, meaning agonizing hits will be a part of the sport, especially against the quarterback. On Sunday, that was made clear when Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair drilled Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence while he was trying to slide for a first down.

When asked about the play and eventual suspension on FS1’s “The Herd,” Brady was sympathetic to Al-Shaair and other defensive players.

“Certainly for Trevor Lawrence, nobody wants to see anybody get hurt, but it also is the reality of a very physical sport that we play,” Brady said. “But defensive players have to be aggressive. That’s their nature. I always tried to be aggressive on offense and at the same time, the defense tries to tackle aggressively.”

Lawrence, who had just returned to the lineup after missing two games with a shoulder injury, began to slide right before the first down marker after a pickup of six. As the slide began, Al-Shaair left his feet and led with his forearm toward the quarterback’s face, resulting in Lawrence’s head hitting the turf.

Following a brawl between the two teams, Lawerence left the field on a cart and was ruled out with a concussion.

While Brady was sympathetic with Lawrence, he also reminded quarterbacks to protect themselves when they leave the pocket and become runners.

“Certainly, the quarterbacks need to take better care of themselves. I see Josh Allen running a lot. I see Lamar Jackson running a lot,” Brady said.  “Certainly, it’s a great skill set to have. … At the same time, when you run, you put yourself in a lot of danger. And when you do that, I don’t think the onus on protecting an offensive quarterback who’s running should be on a defensive player. I don’t think that’s really fair to the defense. If you slide, everyone can argue, was it black and white or was it a gray area? Did you slide late or was it unnecessary roughness? Or is it a late hit? To me, a late hit is very late.”

Brady also said it was unfair to fans to call Al-Shaair a “dirty player” because of a rough hit.

“If we don’t want these hits to take place, we’ve got to penalize the offense and the defense rather than just penalize the defensive player for every single play that happens when there’s a hit on the quarterback,” Brady said.

Al-Shaair, the Texans’ defensive captain, plans to appeal the suspension on Wednesday afternoon.

Azeez Al-Shaair suspended three games? Not so fast for Texans LB

Azeez Al-Shaair should have an answer on his suspension in the coming days after making his case on Wedensday.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was hit with a three-game suspension on Tuesday from the NFL office following his hit against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

It might be three games now, but Al-Shaair is going to do his best to lessen the penalty.

According to multiple reports, Al-Shaair will meet with the NFLPA representative on Wednesday afternoon to appeal his suspension. While the suspension likely will be upheld, it could be reduced to either one or two games.

Al-Shaair was ejected following the hit that left Lawrence in concussion protocol during the second quarter of a 23-20 win. On Tuesday, Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, wrote that the linebacker was involved in a play that the league considers “unacceptable and a serious violation of playing rules.”

“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,” Runyan wrote. “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.”

Texans general manager Nick Caserio defended Al-Shaair, ripping the NFL for its wording in the letter of Al-Shaair’s character.

“Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez — what he’s about, what he’s been through,” Caserio said. “There’s not a more selfless individual more about the team, who has earned the respect, that represents everything we want this program to be about.”

This isn’t the first time the Texans have had to deal with a suspension because of on-field play. Last season, Denzel Perryman was suspended three games for violating the league’s player safety policy. Following the appeal, it was reduced to two games.

Al-Shaair, the Texans’ defensive captain, has been fined twice this season due to on-field play. He was fined $11,817 for an incident in Week 2 against the Bears after punching running back Roschon Johnson following an altercation with multiple Bears players.

Al-Shaair was also fined 11,255 for hitting Titans running back Tony Pollard out of bounds in Week 12.

Should the suspension be upheld, Al-Shaair would forfeit $112,745 per game, according to The Houston Chronicle.

Texans LB plans to appeal 3-game suspension like former 2023 starter

Azeez Al-Shaair will do everything possible to make sure his three-game suspension is diminished.

Azeez Al-Shaair might have gotten hit with a three-game suspension, but the fight is not over.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans linebacker plans to appeal the three-game suspension to the league office for a lesser sentencing following his hit and later ejection against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter of Sunday’s win.

The appeal will be heard by one of the appeals officers jointly appointed by the league and the NFLPA: Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson.

In a letter to Al-Shaair, Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, stated that the Texans’ defensive captain 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.

“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.”

On Monday, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair, stating that the fight occurred after Jaguars players instigated the altercation by shoving him after the play.

“It wasn’t our guys. Their team overreacted,” Ryans said. “Pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline. That’s uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sideline as well.”

On Tuesday, general manager Nick Caserio took offense to how the league portrayed Al-Shaair in their letting when offering up the suspension.

“Quite frankly, it’s bulls—, and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization,” Caserio said. “We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair and everything he brings to this team.”

The three-game ban has been the longest one dished out of the 2024 season for on-field violations. Caserio also asked for more consistency from the league on punishments for players who have conducted similar hits in the past.

“I‘d say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down,” Caserio said.

Sunday isn’t the first time that Al-Shaair has been at the center of controversy surrounding hits. He was fined $11,817 earlier this year in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears after he punched running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline during a scuffle that started after hitting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams near the sidelines.

In Week 12, Al-Shaair was fined  $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard. 

The Texans have been here before with a player for violating the NFL’s player safety policy. Linebacker Denzel Perryman was suspended three games for his on-field play. He appealed his case and eventually saw the suspension dropped to two games.

If Al-Shaair’s suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair won’t be cleared to return until the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, Al-Shaair has a base salary of $1.5 million this season, meaning it will cost him about $265,000 in game checks should he miss all three games.

“Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez,” Caserio said. “What he’s about, what he’s been through. There’s not a more selfless individual more about the team, who has earned the respect, that represents everything we want this program to be about. “

Texans GM rips NFL for suspension and portrayal of LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Nick Caserio didn’t hold back in breaking down the poor portrayal made by the NFL against Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair amid suspension.

On Monday, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans went to bat for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair amid a suspension in the works.

A day later, it was Nick Caserio’s turn to call out the NFL.

Caserio, along with multiple members of the organization, took exception with the league’s characterization of Al-Shaair following his three-game suspension. With owners in attendance, Caserio ripped the NFL for its choice wording and description of Al-Shaair in the letter laying out the sixth-year linebacker’s suspension.

“Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez,” Caserio said. “What he’s about, what he’s been through. There’s not a more selfless individual more about the team, who has earned the respect, that represents everything we want this program to be about.

“We’re talking about some of the commentary that has been made about his character, about the person that he is, about what his intentions are, from people who, quite frankly, don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair.”

Caserio also called out the league office for its lack of consistency regarding suspension lengths, pointing to other instances around the league where players have received underwhelming punishments for similar hits on players.

“For the league to make some of the commentary that they made about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly, it’s embarrassing,” Caserio said. “So I think the big thing from our perspective — talk about a player who’s never been suspended, never been ejected. So now we’re saying that he’s going to be suspended for three games. Look, it is what it is. I think the big thing from our standpoint — and all teams want this — is just some level of consistency.”

Caserio, who’s set to close on his fourth season as the Texans’ GM, said they spoke to the league office and still feel as if there’s not a good explanation for the punishment. Al-Shaair, who can’t return until the Week 18 season finale, plans to appeal the ruling in hopes of limiting the suspension to either one or two games.

While Caserio defended his player, he also hoped that Lawrence continued to get healthy following a hit that left him unconscious and forced him into the concussion protocol.

“The most important thing is the health and safety of our players and I would say the health and well-being of Trevor,” Caserio said. “Hopefully Trevor is going to be okay.”

Much like Ryans, Caserio made sure to let the NFL know where he stands.

“Where we take umbrage is the picture that has been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person,” Caserio said. “Quite frankly, it’s bulls—, and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization. We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair and everything he brings to this team.”

The Texans return from their bye week to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.