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Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio is absolutely furious with the NFL after it levied a three-game suspension against linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after a vicious hit to the head of quarterback Trevor Lawrence as Lawrence attempted to slide.
The Texans’ captain stated that he wasn’t attempting to injure Lawrence, but that the play happened too quickly for him to let up. However, one week prior he was fined $11,255 for a late hit on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard.
The NFL did not hold back in a letter informing Al-Shaair of his suspension.
“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. 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”- NFL VP of Football Operations Jon Runyan
Runyan also cited Al-Shaair’s participation in the ensuing brawl and his behavior afterward when explaining why the league handed down a lengthy suspension.
But Caserio believes the league unfairly and inconsistently applied its policies.
Nick Caserio: Pissed off. pic.twitter.com/lOBD80M1cS
— Ari M (@AriMeirov) December 3, 2024
“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,” Caserio said. “Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing. . . . The picture that’s been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person — quite frankly, it’s bulls—.”
Caserio then cited specific similar instances where players received either no punishment or a lesser punishment.
“One of the biggest issues that we sort of take umbrage with as a team and organizationally is a picture that’s been painted of Azeez,” Caserio said. “Quite frankly, it’s unfair. One of the biggest issues — I probably speak for a lot of teams, not only the Houston Texans. All teams ask for is consistency from the league and 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.”
Al-Shaair intends to appeal the suspension.