Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended for three games due to a dirty hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The hit, which sent Lawrence to injured reserve with a concussion, has sparked debate about the severity of the punishment. While some have labeled the three-game ban as excessive, others argue that it may have been too lenient considering Al-Shaair’s history of NFL violations.
A report by ProFootballTalk has revealed Al-Shaair’s lengthy history of prior offenses, dating back to 2020. The report lists 13 offenses, including seven that have resulted in fines totaling over $70,000. These offenses include multiple instances of personal fouls andsportsmanship-related rules violations.
This season alone, Al-Shaair has been involved in three incidents besides the hit on Lawrence. In Week 2, he engaged in a sideline fight against the Bears, resulting in an $11,817 fine. In Week 12, he hit Titans running back Tony Pollard out of bounds, earning an $11,255 fine that is currently pending. Additionally, Al-Shaair was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Jaguars game but was not fined.
Despite his history of violent violations, Al-Shaair has received support from several high-profile players, including Tom Brady, J.J. Watt, and Richard Sherman. Sherman, who appears on Amazon and hosts a podcast, has joined the chorus of players defending Al-Shaair.
The debate surrounding Al-Shaair’s suspension highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing player safety with the physical nature of the sport. While some argue that the punishment was too harsh, others believe that it was necessary to send a message about the importance of player safety.
