The NFL’s announcement regarding Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension is vague

As expected, the NFL has suspended Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for three games for an apparent illegal hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Still, the statement announcing the move is not clear.

The NFL’s preamble to Jon Runyan’s letter to Al-Shaair mentions that the player has committed “multiple offenses based on personal fouls and violations of sports rules” in recent seasons. The letter mentions the illegal attack that was at the heart of the incident.

The Runyan letter also mentions Al-Shair’s involvement in a “brawl that escalated when she dragged an opponent to the ground by his face mask.” It links the sputum with “The punch (and Lawrence) and your unsportsmanlike actions.” And the letter then mentions the second altercation in which Al-Shaair was involved.

So why was he suspended? The hit? His story? The first fight? The second? Some of them? All?

The lack of any formula gives the impression that the league is making up its decisions at will and choosing punishment based on the circumstances. Next, one of the four hearing officers must decide whether to maintain, lift or reduce the suspension.

Nobody knows what will happen, especially because precedent doesn’t seem to matter. It’s all case by case and there is no real sense that past results have an impact on future decisions.

This makes it harder for players to recognize the risks of misbehavior, and the adage “fuck around and find out” is literally taken to the extreme.

Yes, the player will find out. Along with everyone else. Because until then, no one really seems to know what will happen in any of these cases.