The NFL’s vice president of football operations stated that Azeez Al-Shaair has committed multiple offenses related to personal fouls and violations of sportsmanship rules in recent seasons.
On Tuesday, the Houston Texans linebacker was suspended for three games without pay for repeatedly violating player safety rules after delivering a hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, causing a concussion.
NFL vice president Jon Runyan announced Al-Shaair’s suspension, emphasizing his history of infractions. The incident occurred when Lawrence, back in the starting lineup after missing two games due to a sprained left shoulder, scrambled to the left during a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 victory on Sunday. As Lawrence initiated a slide, Al-Shaair struck him with his forearm, hitting the defenseless quarterback.
After the hit, Lawrence clenched both fists, a sign of the “fencing response” often seen after a traumatic brain injury. He remained on the ground for several minutes while teammates rushed to his defense and confronted Al-Shaair.