Texans Coach Defends Player Amidst Controversy Over Late Hit on Jaguars Quarterback
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is facing potential disciplinary action from the NFL following a late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Sunday’s game.
Al-Shaair was ejected from the game after a forceful collision with Lawrence as the quarterback was sliding to the ground. While recognizing the serious nature of the incident, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans defended his player, emphasizing the need for a balanced perspective.
"We’re not intentionally trying to hurt anyone," Ryans stated, acknowledging the concern surrounding the incident. "But I think there’s an overreaction when someone gets hurt. We just have to look at it all, from all perspectives."
Ryans highlighted what he sees as a growing trend in quarterback play, where players stretch the sliding rule, potentially trying to gain extra yards.
“A lot of the quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule where they slide late, and they try to get an extra yard. And now you’re a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender, right?” Ryans explained.
While expressing concern for Lawrence’s well-being, Ryans stressed the importance of quarterbacks protecting themselves. “Unfortunately, Trevor got hurt. We hope Trevor is OK," said Ryans. "But, if we’re sliding, we have to get down. If we’re getting out of bounds, we get out of bounds. That rule is there to protect quarterbacks, and we want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league, so we just have to be safe and if we’re sliding, make sure we’re keeping our heads down.”
Adding another layer to the discussion, a source within the NFL told CNN that the league is leaning towards suspending Al-Shaair. Unlike quarterbacks, defenders frequently face disciplinary action for violations such as late hits. Al-Shaair’s history of receiving fines for late hits, including a $11,255 fine for a late hit against the Tennessee Titans in November and a $11,817 fine for punching a player in a game against the Chicago Bears earlier this season, doesn’t bode well for his future with the league.
Ryans, while defending Al-Shaair’s character, acknowledges the seriousness of the situation. He emphasized that his player is not a dirty player and doesn’t intend to harm anyone. "People who know Azeez they know him, they know how he plays the game," stated Ryans.
“Yes, he plays it fast, he plays it physical, and sometimes that physical nature gets misunderstood in today’s game.”
Amidst mounting criticism and the anticipated punishment, Al-Shaair issued a public apology to Lawrence while condemning the racist and Islamophobic abuse directed at him since the incident.
“I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late,” Al-Shaair wrote on social media. “And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor, I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. Before the game, we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back on the field and wished you well. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them, especially one that’s deemed ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.’”
He continued by addressing the online abuse: "To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their [villain], to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you.”
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson expressed his own concern regarding the ongoing "escalation" seen in the sport.
“I think the league is going to handle these situations as they come up. Just look at what even happened in college football, some of these rivalry games and things of that nature over the weekend. It’s unfortunate because it escalates to a level that doesn’t need to be on the field.”
"We hold ourselves to a high regard. We’re in the National Football League. Defend the shield. All that stuff. We got to figure out a way as a league to somehow minimize or at least get these plays out of the game, if possible,” Pederson stated.
These events have raised significant conversation about player safety and the responsibilities of players, coaches, and the league itself.
The Texans, who are on their bye week, are scheduled to play against the Miami Dolphins on December 15.
