(Crankers) The NFL player who performed a dirty hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been suspended for three games. The player suspended is Azeez Al-Shaair, a linebacker for the Houston Texans, who became simultaneously notorious for wearing ‘Free Palestine’ shoes.
Al-Shaair hit Trevor Lawrence in the head as he was already sliding and to be down. The hit was deemed unacceptable and, because Al-Shaair has a history of violations, they suspended him for a number of games – but many people think the suspension should be longer, because it’s not his first violation. He was ejected from the game after the hit that left Trevor Lawrence looking like he was out cold on the ground.
The NFL suspended Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair three games for repeated violations of player safety rules after his hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday. Lawrence has a concussion because of the hit by Al-Shaair. There was a small brawl after the hit, but nothing too crazy as no one beat his Al-Shaair’s a** like they should have.
Former Eagles lineman, and now the NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration spoke out on the suspension and dirty hit to the quarterback’s facemask, as reported on MSN/ESPN:
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration, announced the suspension Tuesday, adding in a 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.”
“You were involved in a play that the [NFL] considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote Tuesday. “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.”
Watch the video of Al-Shaair’s hit on Trevor Lawrence:
11 Comments
Can’t believe Al-Shaair got only 3 games for that hit on Lawrence. Seems light considering it’s not his first rodeo with these kinds of hits. Players’ safety should be top priority, right?
Absolutely, RileyCat93. League’s gotta step up its game on enforcing player safety rules. This kind of inconsistency sends the wrong message.
Hope Lawrence recovers soon. The game needs him healthy and that hit was scary!
Analyzing the sequence of play, the suspension attributed to Al-Shaair takes into account his previous infractions which corroborates the league’s disciplinary measures. Yet, the reoccurrence suggests current penalties may not deter future misconduct.
Just read about the hit. It sounds horrible. Does anyone know how Trevor Lawrence is doing now? Health should always be above the game. Sending thoughts to him.
that hit was wild, saw it live and my whole room went quiet like we were watching a horror movie or something. hope lawrence got like 9 lives or something, cuz that was brutal haha
Three games? That’s it? What’s next, a slap on the wrist for a brawl? League’s getting soft.
It’s not about being soft, MaxPower45. It’s about ensuring player safety. We can’t just ignore these incidents.
Considering the circumstances, the suspension seems like a standard procedure based on the rules. However, it might be worth revisiting these guidelines to ensure they effectively deter such behavior in the future.
It’s heartening to see the NFL take steps towards player safety, even if we might argue the extent. Let’s use this as an opportunity to discuss and reinforce the importance of sportsmanship and respect in all sports.
Three-game vacation for Al-Shaair, huh? Bet that’ll teach him to play nice. Next time, maybe they’ll make him write ‘I will not hit people’ a hundred times on the blackboard.