Azeez Al-Shaair is facing the NFL’s brunt of anguish! The Houston Texans had a three-point win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. However, this later came out as a disappointment to Al-Shaair, as the league announced his suspension.

Yes, you heard it right! According to Sr. NFL reporter Albert Breer, “The NFL has upheld Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension.” The league gave this decision on Tuesday after his appeal was heard. But what’s the punishment for him?

Well, as per NFL reporter Ari Meirov, “With his 3-game suspension, Azeez Al-Shaair will have to forfeit three game checks of $112,745 each, totaling $338,235.” And the games that he is going to miss will be against the Dolphins, Chiefs, and Ravens. So, that means, Azeez Al-Shaair will return in the last regular game of the season, in Week 18, which will be against the Titans.

The game between Houston and Jacksonville took a heated turn on Sunday. Azeez Al-Shaair was ejected in the second quarter for a shocking hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, who was sliding to the ground, took a violent blow to the face mask. The hit was so severe that it left him with a concussion. This incident sparked controversy because Lawrence’s collapse indeed was a chilling moment on the field.

After this brutal hit, the quarterback’s fists clenched tightly – a telltale sign of the “fencing response,” often linked to serious brain injuries. He lay motionless for what felt like forever, as concern gripped everyone watching. But his teammates wasted no time rallying around him and confronting Al-Shaair, pushing and yelling at him.

Well, it was a raw, intense scene that highlighted both the danger of the game and the strong bond among teammates. However, now that the NFL has given its punishment, they also sent a clear message to all the 32 teams.

What was written in the letter to Azeez Al-Shaair by the NFL?

The NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration, Jon Runyan, sent a letter, via ESPN, “to Al-Shaair that the league deemed the hit unacceptable and that his continued disregard for rules governing player safety will not be tolerated.” He even described Azeez Al-Shaair’s actions as not just unsportsmanlike but a troubling disregard for player safety. So, the suspension wasn’t just about one play; it reflected repeated violations that put others at risk.

This happened because after that illegal hit, via the letter, “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.” Hence, according to Runyan, it’s not sportsmanship. However, Texans GM Nick Caserio came to Azeez Al-Shaair’s defense, questioning the league’s consistency. He pointed out similar cases where punishments were less severe, calling the situation unfair.

Still, the NFL stood firm in their decision, emphasizing their commitment to safety and sportsmanship.