Azeez Al-Shaair has come under fire after it emerged the Houston Texans star will appeal his suspension for his sickening hit on Trevor Lawrence.
The linebacker was given a three-game suspension – without pay – by the NFL after Jaguars quarterback Lawrence suffered a concussion from the dangerous tackle on Sunday.
Al-Shaair was ejected from Houston’s 23-20 win over Jacksonville for the incident, which led to a bench-clearing brawl.
On Tuesday, the NFL announced that Al-Shaair will serve a three-game suspension without pay, which also takes into account his role in the mass brawl and some of his previous violations.
In a letter to Al-Shaair, NFL chief Jon Runyan told him that the league considered the tackle an “unacceptable and serious violation of the laws of the game.”
It was soon reported that the Texans defenseman would appeal the sentence – a day after he apologized to Lawrence and shot ‘racist and Islamophobic fans.
Azeez Al-Shaair has come under fire after it emerged that he will appeal his suspension
Al-Shaair was ejected from Houston’s win over Jacksonville for this hit on Trevor Lawrence
Al-Shair previously choked Tom Brady during a 2022 game for the San Francisco 49ers
Following news that Al-Shaair would appeal, fans criticized the linebacker, with many suggesting he was fortunate not to have received a longer suspension.
‘Unbelievable. Did you think Azeez Al-Shaair regretted the hit?’ wrote one supporter on social media. ‘I agree with the call. It should last much longer,” another joked. Several other fans shared their sentiments.
“He should thank them. A more appropriate punishment would have been permanent expulsion from the competition. It’s a terrible look for football,” a third added. ‘He can be grateful that he has received a three-match suspension. He should have been banned for the rest of the season,” said a fourth.
Al-Shaair had to be restrained by his Texans teammates as the fight ensued, while Lawrence, who was eventually carted off the field with a concussion, lay motionless on the turf.
During his final season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, the linebacker went for Tom Brady’s throat during a sack attempt.
After Brady released the ball, Al-Shaair wrapped his right hand around the Hall of Fame quarterback’s throat in a moment that quickly went viral.
And during the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he also hit Chicago’s Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.