CNN
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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was handed a three-game suspension with out pay by the NFL on Tuesday for a late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throughout Sunday’s recreation.
In the second quarter, Lawrence was hit within the head by Al-Shaair because the Jags QB was sliding on the bottom following a six-yard run. As Lawrence laid on the turf, a scuffle between the 2 groups broke out. Al-Shaair was ejected from the sport together with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones for the following battle.
In a press release launched on Tuesday, the NFL introduced it was suspending Al-Shaair for “repeated violations of guidelines supposed to guard the well being and security of gamers and promote sportsmanship.”
It shouldn’t be the primary time Al-Shaair has been penalized for the same incident: the 27-year-old was fined $11,255 for a late hit that occurred November 24 in a recreation in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. He additionally was fined $11,817 for punching a participant in Houston’s recreation in opposition to the Chicago Bears in Week 2.
In a letter despatched to Al-Shaair, NFL vp of soccer operations Jon Runyan stated that the linebacker’s hit on Lawrence was “unacceptable and a severe violation of the enjoying guidelines,” whereas additionally highlighting his actions within the ensuing brawl and after his ejection.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the sport of soccer and all those that play, coach, and luxuriate in watching it, is troubling and doesn’t mirror the core values of the NFL,” Runyan stated. “Your continued disregard for NFL enjoying guidelines places the well being and security of each you and your opponents in jeopardy and won’t be tolerated.”
Al-Shaair is ready to return to Houston’s lively roster following their Week 17 recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.
Through the NFL’s collective bargaining settlement, Al-Shaair can attraction the suspension. According to a supply who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Al-Shaair will attraction.
CNN has reached out to the NFL Players Association for touch upon the suspension.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair on Monday, saying the crew stands behind the sixth-year participant and defined the incident needs to be thought-about from either side of the ball.
“We’re not deliberately making an attempt to harm anybody, however I feel there’s an overreaction when somebody will get harm however we simply have to take a look at all of it, from all views.
“A variety of the quarterbacks at the present time, they attempt to benefit from the rule the place they slide late, they usually attempt to get an additional yard. And now you’re a defender, a whole lot of onus is on the defender, proper?”
Ryans added, “Unfortunately, Trevor received harm. We hope Trevor is OK.
“But – it’s additionally if we’re sliding, we now have to get down. If we’re getting out of bounds, we get out of bounds. That rule is there to guard the quarterbacks, and we would like our quarterbacks to be protected within the league, so we simply must be protected and we’re sliding, ensure that we’re conserving our heads down.”
Ryans stated Al-Shaair performs the sport “the appropriate manner” and would by no means intend to harm one other participant.
“For any image that’s painted that Azeez is a unclean participant or doing one thing intentional, that’s the precise reverse of what Azeez is.
“People who know Azeez they know him, they know the way he performs the sport.
“Yes, he performs it quick, he performs it bodily, and generally that bodily nature will get misunderstood in in the present day’s recreation.”
On Monday, Al-Shaair issued an apology to Lawrence for the hit, whereas additionally calling out “racist and Islamophobic” abuse he has obtained since.
“I genuinely didn’t see him sliding till it was too late,” he wrote on social media.
“And all of it occurs within the blink of a watch. To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up taking place. Before the sport we spoke and I advised you the way it was nice to see you again out on the sphere and wished you nicely. I might by no means need to see any participant harm due to successful I placed on them particularly one which’s deemed ‘late’ or ‘pointless.’”
He continued, “To the remainder of the individuals who I’ve been known as each single identify within the guide from reporters with their arms prepared for a narrative to seek out their (villain), to racist and Islamophobic followers and other people, you don’t know my coronary heart nor my character which I don’t must show to any of you.”
Earlier, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was requested what he thought an applicable punishment is likely to be for Al-Shaair. Peterson referenced the skirmishes and fights at a number of NCAA soccer video games on Saturday.
“I feel the league goes to deal with these conditions as they arrive up. Just take a look at what even occurred in school soccer, a few of these rivalry video games and issues of that nature over the weekend. It’s unlucky as a result of it escalates to a stage that doesn’t have to be on the sphere.
“We maintain ourselves to a excessive regard. We’re within the National Football League. Defend the defend. All that stuff. We received to determine a manner as a league to by some means reduce or at the least get these performs out of the sport, if potential,” Pederson stated.
The Texans are actually on a bye week and can play once more December 15 in opposition to the Miami Dolphins.
