“Soft and weak suspension” NFL suspends Azeez Al-Shaair without pay for 3 games over illegal hit on Trevor Lawrence
Azeez Al-Shaair's hit on Trevor Lawrence led to the quarterback being carted off from the field.
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Azeez Al-Shaair and Trevor Lawrence (Image Credits: L-via AP, R-via IMAGO)
The NFL continues to take a stern stance against players that put quarterbacks in harm’s way. Earlier on Sunday, during the Jacksonville Jaguars matchup against the Houston Texans, quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion after taking a hit to the head from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
He was subsequently ejected from the game and a suspension was imminent. The NFL has reviewed the situation and the league’s VP of Football Operations Jon Runyan announced that Azeez Al-Shaair will be suspended for three games without pay for violating the league’s rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.
The statement issued by the NFL has dubbed Azeez Al-Shaair as a repeat offender. His first altercation came against the Bears when he punched Roschon Johnson earlier this season.
The adverse punishment took into account the subsequent brawl that Al-Shaair engaged in with the players of the Jaguars, who charged at him for harming their quarterback.
Fans believe Azeez Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension is less, given his history
This means the linebacker will be out in the Houston Texans’ matchups against the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. He will return in the team’s final game against the Tennessee Titans. Presently, Al-Shaair has the option to appeal his suspension which will be heard by the hearing officers appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.
The linebacker issued an apology yesterday after he had time to gather his thoughts. While he expressed his regret over putting Trevor Lawrence at risk, he made it clear that he was just hoping to do his job to the best of his abilities.
Despite the apology and the punishment, fans online are not content with the NFL’s penalty with some dubbing it as being soft. Here’s how they reacted to it on X:
Soft and weak suspension.
— Serhan Dayi (@SerhanOnX) December 3, 2024
ABSOLUTE BS!
— Isaiah Martin (@isaiahrmartin) December 3, 2024
The guy should be in prison. Lawrence could have been killed.
— jgs7720 (@jgs7720) December 3, 2024
Should be expelled from the league PERMANENTLY!!!
— Romans828 (@Romans828c) December 3, 2024
Should be expelled from the league PERMANENTLY!!!
— Romans828 (@Romans828c) December 3, 2024
Should be banned for life
— Tony Van Dyke (@VanDykeTony16) December 3, 2024
Pretty sure Al-Shaair has been doing things like this since the 49er days
— Thoughts of Jim (@classicjtrain) December 3, 2024
Pathetic, given his previous behaviour and the nature of this hit.
— Gareth Rees ?? (@Gareth_Blues) December 3, 2024
And his coach didn’t think it was a bad hit
— Dukie B (@brucekenerson1) December 3, 2024
Should have been more…. He is a repeat offender.
— Logan (@heiterkeit_GBG) December 3, 2024
The NFL has been cracking down on plays that risk concussions and serious injuries in players. Despite the widespread backlash against Al-Shaair, Texans HC DeMeco Ryans had his players back, and put the onus on Trevor Lawrence while upholding the linebacker’s innocence.
Related: (Video) Browns’ Jerry Jeudy makes a wild gesture toward Broncos fans during Denver revenge game
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Sumedh Joshi
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