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Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended three games by the NFL on Tuesday for his late hit on Trevor Lawrence. The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback was forced to leave Sunday’s game with a concussion after what many considered to be a dirty play by the Houston Texans linebacker.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, announced Azeez Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension with a publicly released letter to the linebacker explaining the severity of the punishment.
“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,” Runyan continued. “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…” Jon Runyan added. “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.”
Following his being ejected from Sunday’s game, Azeez Al-Shaair issued a statement trying to explain the hit on Trevor Lawrence, apologizing and claiming he did not mean to injure Trevor Lawrence.
Many fans weren’t accepting of his apology, citing, as Jon Ruyan did, a history of dirty plays during the linebacker’s career.
Azeez Al-Shaair try not to be a dirty player challenge (impossible) pic.twitter.com/PI30RkpMr7
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 2, 2024
NFL reporter Adam Schefter also revealed on Tuesday that Al-Shaair will be appealing his three-game suspension by the NFL.
“His appeal will be heard by one of the appeals officers jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA: Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson,” Schefter wrote on X (Twitter).