NFL drops the hammer on repeat offender for his vicious hit on Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward
Azeez Al-Shaair can’t stay out of trouble.
It’s hard to play defense in the modern NFL. The strike zone, the timing, the intent, it’s all under a microscope for defenders. But if there is one non-negotiable, one player you can’t cross the line with, it’s the quarterback.
Well, last Sunday, Houston Texans defender Azeez Al-Shaair broke the NFL’s cardinal rule (again) when he put a hit on Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward. Not only was it unwarranted, but it wasn’t the first time that Al-Shaair has done such an act, and the NFL has punished him yet again.
Azeez Al-Shaair Career Facts
- Al-Shaair joined the San Francisco 49ers as a UDFA out of FAU in 2019.
- Al-Shaair started 17 games for the Titans in 2023.
- Al-Shaair had the best season of his NFL career with the Titans in 2023, recording 163 total tackles.
Azeez Al-Shaair Fined $17,389 for hit on Cam Ward
As you can see in the video, the hit was late, excessive, and it was a blow to the head. That might be the holy trinity for teach tape on how not to hit the quarterback. What’s arguably more egregious is that Al-Shaair wasn’t flagged for the hit.
And it would be one thing if this were the first time Al-Shaair was punished for hitting a quarterback. But just last year, he was suspended for three games after his blow to the head on Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller Trevor Lawrence.
So it’s safe to say we have a pattern here. It’s odd, because during Al-Shaair’s time at Florida Atlantic, he was lauded as a team player, and a high-character human. He’s always played with an edge, but he tends to cross the line when it comes to quarterbacks. To receive some insight on what the hit means from a Texans point of view, I reached out to Destin Adams of A to Z Sports Indianapolis for a divisional perspective.
Texans knew what they were getting with Al-Shaair
“The Texans were fortunate Al-Shaair’s hit on Ward wasn’t flagged, as it was a 3rd down that would have likely set the Titans up to score. After seeing the replay there isn’t much debate to be had, as Al-Shaair clearly makes contact with Wards helmet on the throw. The Texans love the tenacity and aggression the LB plays with, but these type of plays/mistakes need to be removed from his game.”
“Including this one Al-Shaair been fined $424,100 by the NFL in his career. He has all the talent to be the Texans top LB and be a key part of a very talented defense’s long-term plan. But if he doesn’t cut out this part of his game that likely won’t come to fruition, which would be a sad result for both him and the team.” – Adams
If last year wasn’t a wakeup call for Al-Shaair, then perhaps this fine will be. But if he hasn’t learned by now, he may never. That’s what’s disappointing, as he’s only 28-years-old and has come a long way from his college days at FAU.
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