Texans’ Nick Caserio angers NFL over ‘unfair’ treatment of Azeez Al-Shaair after controversial hit and suspension

The NFL announced a three-game suspension for Houston Texans player Azeez Al-Shair on Tuesday. The 27-year-old linebacker will not receive his salary during the suspension, the league announced.

The NFL cited multiple violations of its player safety rules after Al-Shair delivered a violent blow to the head area of ​​Trevor Lawrence. The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback was carted off the field and diagnosed with a concussion. Al-Shair was ruled out of the game after the goal.

In a letter announcing Al-Shaair’s suspension, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan noted the linebacker’s past offenses of personal fouls and violations of athletic rules in recent seasons.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio met with members of the media on Tuesday and pushed back against the narratives about Al-Shair that he said have emerged in the days since the controversial attack.

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Texans general manager Nick Caserio before the Indianapolis Colts game at NRG Stadium in Houston on September 17, 2023. (Maria Lysaker-USA Today Sports)

Caserio pointed the finger at the NFL for painting an “unfair” picture of Al-Shaair.

“It’s an unfortunate game and an unfortunate situation,” Caserio said. “One of the biggest issues that we are upset about as a team and organizationally is the picture that has been painted by Azeez. Frankly, it’s unfair. I would say one of the biggest problems, and I’m probably speaking for a lot of the teams, not just the Houston Texans, but I think that’s everything that the teams want from the league, and I say in this one There is, quite frankly, no consistency at all compared to the level of discipline that is instilled in them.

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Caserio also suggested that the league made comments about Al-Shair without truly understanding the footballer’s personal character.

“We’re talking about some of the comments that have been made about his character, about the person he is, about his intentions from people who honestly don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair. For the league.” Some of the comments they have made about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coaching ability and lack of attention to the rules are frankly embarrassing.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides to the ground in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair at EverBank Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Part of Runyan’s letter addressed Al-Shaair’s “lack of sportsmanship” and suggested he “disregarded the NFL rules of the game.”

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach and enjoy watching it is concerning and does not reflect the core values ​​of the NFL…Your continued disregard for the NFL rules of the game endangers health and safety.” This endangers both you and your opponents and will not be tolerated,” Runyan wrote.

Still, Caserio made it clear that the organization he works for loves “everything about” the veteran linebacker.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio walks the field before the Los Angeles Chargers game at NRG Stadium on Oct. 2, 2022 in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

“…What we dislike is the picture that has been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person, quite frankly, it is bullshit…. It’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization and we love everything about Azeez.” Al-Shaair.

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Al-Shair apologized to Lawrence on Monday.

“I always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intention of harming anyone and anyone who knows me knows that,” Al-Shair wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “My goal is to hit you as hard as I can. Then I pray you can still get up and play the next game. And when the game is over, go home to your family unscathed because it’s nothing personal, it’s just a competition! We.” We’re both trying to do the same thing, which is to provide for our families. I actually didn’t see him slip until it was too late.

“To Trevor, I sincerely apologize for what ultimately happened. We spoke before the game and I told you how great it was to see you back on the field and wished you all the best. I would never want a player to get hurt because of a blow I gave them, especially one that was deemed “late” or “unnecessary.” For the rest of his teammates, I can definitely understand that you have his back and defend him in a situation like this.”

Al-Shaair also targeted members of the media, who he said called him a “villain.”

“To the rest of the people I called every single name in the book, from reporters who have their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don’t know mine Heart still.” My character, which I don’t have to prove to any of you. God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.

It remains unclear whether Al-Shair will appeal. However, if the suspension is upheld, he will not be able to return to the Texans’ active roster until after Houston’s Christmas game against the Ravens.

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