The Houston Texans have suspended Azeez Al-Shaair for three games after a Wednesday appeal hearing.
Al-Shaair’s suspension was levied on Tuesday and was due to an illegal hit on Sunday against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Hearing officer Ramon Foster, who was appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association, took his appeal hearing.
Al-Shaair will now miss out on Houston’s Week 15 match on December 15th against the Miami Dolphins. He will miss a Week 16 road fixture against the Kansas City Chiefs and a Christmas Day game with the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans, who are first place in the AFC South, are on bye this week.
Azeez will return for their Week 18 finale against the Tennessee Titans.
He reacted to his suspension on social media by posting, “if you want me to be your villain, I’ll be your villain,” followed by a middle finger emoji.
Al-Shaair was punished for hitting a sliding Lawrence in the first half of Houston’s 23-20 victory.
The decision to hold the appeal was a day after Al-Shaair’s suspension was announced and followed by stern words from NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” Runyan wrote. “…Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”
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