The NFL and the NFL Players Association have confirmed Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's three-game suspension without pay for repeated violations of player safety rules. The suspension was upheld following a violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, who suffered a concussion and is now on injured reserve.
The decision was made by hearing officer Ramon Foster, jointly appointed by the league and the players' union. Al-Shaair's punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan, who cited multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons.
The incident in question occurred during a game against Jacksonville, where Al-Shaair struck Lawrence in the head/neck area after the quarterback had clearly gone down in a feet-first slide. Runyan described the hit as 'unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,' noting that Al-Shaair led with his forearm and helmet despite having the opportunity to avoid such contact.
Despite objections from Houston general manager Nick Caserio regarding the consistency of league punishments, Al-Shaair's suspension stands. He will be ineligible to return to the active roster until after Houston's Christmas Day game against Baltimore, resulting in a significant financial loss.
This is not the first time Al-Shaair has faced disciplinary action this season. He was previously fined for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard and for an altercation with Bears running back Roschon Johnson.
Runyan emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football, stating that Al-Shaair's repeated disregard for NFL playing rules poses a threat to the health and safety of both himself and his opponents.
The league's decision to uphold the suspension underscores its commitment to enforcing player safety regulations and maintaining the integrity of the game.
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