Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair comes under scrutiny over Trevor Lawrence hit, pro-Palestinian cleats
FOX NewsDEC 2024
NFL Suspends Texans' Al-Shaair for Hit on Lawrence
Above: Azeez Al-Shaair at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 18, 2024. Image copyright: Perry Knotts/Contributor/Getty Images Sports via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Al-Shaair's hit was an unfortunate split-second decision, which occurred when he couldn't react in time to Lawrence's late slide. He plays the game hard and the right way, and he never intends to injure anyone. Al-Shaair has expressed regret for Lawrence's injury, but at the same time, quarterbacks must do a better job of protecting themselves and not exploiting the rules for their benefit.
Narrative B
Coaches and players have been known to make any number of excuses for committing egregious penalties, but blaming the quarterback in this instance is absurd. Al-Shaair may not have wanted to hurt Lawrence, but he clearly wanted to intimidate him despite Lawrence being in a defenseless position. The hit was in clear violation of NFL rules meant to reduce the number of head injuries players suffer.