The NFL isn’t buying Azeez Al-Shaair nor his coach’s excuse for the controversial hit that injured Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Al-Shaair was suspended three games by the NFL on Tuesday after he dove head first into a sliding Lawrence, a hit that concussed the QB and led to a massive melee between the NFC South rivals.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” NFL VP of football operations Jon Runyan said in a statement.
Texans head coach Demeco Ryans appeared to blame Lawrence for the late hit that rendered him unconscious and in a fencing position, indicating severe brain trauma.
“We stand behind Azeez and everything that came from that,” Ryans told reporters on Monday. “Of course, the unfortunate hit on the quarterback, but it’s also two-fold. A lot of the quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule where they slide late and they try to get an extra yard…
“Unfortunate that Trevor got hurt. We hope Trevor is OK. But it’s also if we’re sliding we’ve got to get down; if we’re getting out of bounds, we get out of bounds. That rule is there to protect the quarterbacks and we want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league.”
Al-Shaair hit Lawrence high as the quarterback began to slide and forced the back of his head to smash the ground.
Al-Shaair was ejected from the game.
Lawrence was immediately attended to by team physicians while a brawl ensued as Jaguars players defended their franchise quarterback.
“The entire thing is Azeez hits the guy, but their sideline overreacts and it turns into a melee,” Ryans said. “It wasn’t our guys. Their team overreacted, pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline, so that’s uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sideline.”
Ryans also told reporters that Al-Shaair is a “great human being” and model for the game while adding that the Jaguars overreacted over the hit
Al-Shaair issued an apology to Lawrence Monday morning, saying that his only goal as a defensive player is to hit his opponent hard but pray they get up in short order after.
“My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play. And when the game is over go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal it’s just competition!” he said in a statement.
Earlier this season, Al-Shaair was seen throwing a punch at Bears running back Roschon Johnson, and he appeared to swing his arm at Tom Brady’s throat during a tackle attempt in 2022.
Houston narrowly won Sunday’s game, 23-20, as Mac Jones took over for Lawrence after the hit, which may end the quarterback’s season.
