NFL: Azeez Al-Shaair Suspended Three Games
By Nancy DeLander Beecher, Florida Sports wire
NEW YORK — Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans has been suspended without pay for three games for repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship, including during Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension.
In a letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan, who noted that Al-Shaair has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons, wrote:
“During your game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 1, with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules. 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.”
“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask. After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.
“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…Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return to the Texans’ active roster following the team’s Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Al-Shaair may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.
PFWA Pool Reporter Mark Long Interview with Referee Land Clark
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Question: Why specifically was Azeez Al-Shaair disqualified?
Clark: “An illegal hit on the quarterback, unnecessary, to the neck and head area.”
Question: What led to Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, No. 23, being ejected along with Al-Shaair?
Clark: “He came off the bench and threw a punch.”
Question: Did he throw a punch at a player or an official?
Clark: “A player.”
Question: Why weren’t any Houston players ejected for leaving the sideline bench area and crossing the field?
Clark: “There was no action observed that rose to the level of disqualifying. They were mostly restraining their own players.”
Question: Were any warnings issued to both teams or team for any further retaliatory behavior?
Clark: “We don’t issue warnings.”
Question: Why was Jaguars tight end Evan Engram No. 17 penalized for unnecessary roughness?
Clark: “The actions didn’t warrant a disqualification, but it was unnecessary roughness.”
Question: When Al-Shaair was leaving the field was there any thought about a second flag being thrown? Why wasn’t a second flag thrown while he was trying to leave the field and he kind of turned back towards the Jags’ sideline?
Clark: “He was already disqualified when he was leaving the field. We did not consider it.”
Question: Could there have been a flag thrown there or no?
Clark: “That’s a hypothetical that I can’t answer. We didn’t think it warranted it.”
