Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair issues bizarre social media response after NFL upholds his three-game suspension
The NFL upheld Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's three-game suspension on Wednesday, which was issued due to his helmet-to-helmet hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. And the linebacker sent a message following the news. "IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! SEE YOU SOON…," Al-Shaair posted on social media. He also […]
The NFL upheld Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's three-game suspension on Wednesday, which was issued due to his helmet-to-helmet hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
And the linebacker sent a message following the news.
"IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! SEE YOU SOON…," Al-Shaair posted on social media.
He also posted the message on Instagram.
Lawrence suffered a concussion due to the hit, and has since been placed on injured reserve.
Al-Shaair came out and publicly apologized to Lawrence on Monday.
“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that. 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! We both are trying to do the same which is provide for our families!
“I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. Before the game we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them especially one that’s deemed ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.’
“To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that. To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villan [sic], to racist and [I]slamophobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you. God knows my intentions and anyone who has never been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”
But the NFL determined that they had to take action. Specifically, the league determined that he "repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship." He is suspended without pay.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued a statement on the suspension, and there was one line that really stood out. It was a clear message from the NFL.
"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," Runyan wrote. "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.”'
The Texans are on a bye this week, but afterwards, Al-Shaair will be sidelined for the team's games against the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. He can return for Houston's final regular season game on Jan. 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
