Joe Theismann reveals his stance on Azeez Al-Shaair’s controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence

EXCLUSIVE: NFL legend Joe Theismann simply so occurred to placed on the Jacksonville Jaguars recreation towards the Houston Texans on Dec. 1. 

Seven video games befell on the 1 p.m. slot that day, together with one that includes Theismann’s former group, the Washington Commanders. However out of sheer coincidence, he tuned in to observe a recreation that ended up with one of the crucial controversial moments of the NFL season.

Theismann noticed the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence take a vicious unlawful hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair within the second quarter when the quarterback tried to slip down on a play. It was the final play for both participant this season, as Al-Shaair was ejected and dealt a three-game suspension whereas Lawrence has been positioned on season-ending harm reserve. 

“It’s a violent sport, folks hit each other, and generally issues occur,” Theismann instructed Fox Information Digital. “The league evidently actually made the choice and gave him a three-game suspension so that they felt that possibly [Al-Shaair] might have managed the hit a bit extra.”

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides for a down as Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair makes a late hit, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium. (Corey Perrine/Florida Occasions-Union)

For Theismann, it was a second that resembled the final time he performed a down within the NFL 39 years in the past. In November of the 1985 season, Theismann was tackled by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor on a play that broke the previous quarterback’s leg and ended his enjoying profession. 

The hit to Lawrence will not have practically the identical influence, however it did give him a concussion and sparked a large brawl between teammates. However Theismann additionally believes that it is a second that must also spark a dialogue on quarterbacks sliding.

“The quarterback slide, now they will must revisit a bit bit. As a quarterback it’s important to think about the best way you need to shield your self. I’ve all the time instructed gamers this, do not simply let the foundations or the officers shield you, shield your self,” Theismann stated. 

“If you are going to slide, man will, now due to this, possibly slide a bit bit faster, a bit bit earlier, so that you attempt to hope that one thing like this will likely be utilized in a optimistic manner in order that we do not see this occur once more.” 

Theismann declined to remark about whether or not he thought the suspension to Al-Shaair was justified. 

Fellow famed NFL quarterback Tom Brady delivered an analogous take to Theismann’s throughout an interview on “The Herd” on Dec. 3. 

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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides down in entrance of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, Dec. 1, 2024. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photographs)

“Defensive gamers must be aggressive, that is they’re nature,” Brady stated. “The quarterbacks must take higher care of themselves… While you run, you place your self in plenty of hazard. While you try this, I don’t assume the onus of defending an offensive quarterback who’s operating needs to be on a defensive participant. I don’t assume that’s actually honest to a protection.”

Brady additionally stated he disagreed with the notion that Al-Shaair’s hit signifies the linebacker is a “soiled participant.”

Nonetheless, others have been far more vital of Al-Shaair. 

Jon Runyan, NFL vp of soccer operations, launched a scathing assertion about Al-Shaair shortly after the incident, amid a wave of intense backlash towards the linebacker for the hit. 

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the sport of soccer and all those that play, coach, and luxuriate in watching it, is troubling and doesn’t mirror the core values of the NFL… Your continued disregard for NFL enjoying guidelines places the well being and security of each you and your opponents in jeopardy and won’t be tolerated,” Runyan stated.

Al-Shaair has apologized for the hit and insisted that it wasn’t intentional. However the backlash has been so sturdy that he is reacted to it in a number of methods. 

Al-Shaair additionally spoke out towards “racist and Islamophobic followers” within the aftermath of the general public response to the incident. Many followers scrutinized him for carrying pro-Palestinian cleats.

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Gamers struggle after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair hit Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville. (AP Picture/John Raoux)

“To the remainder of the individuals who I’ve been known as each single title within the e-book from reporters with their arms prepared for a narrative to seek out their villain, to racist and Islamophobic followers and folks, you don’t know my coronary heart nor my character which I don’t must show to any of you. God is aware of my intentions and anybody who has been a teammate or good friend of mine is aware of my coronary heart,” he wrote in a press release. 

After it was introduced Al-Shaair’s attraction of his three-game suspension was denied, he despatched a message with a distinct tone Wednesday. 

Al-Shaair posted an Instagram photograph assortment with the cryptic caption, “IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! SEE YOU SOON.”

The 4 images he posted had been of him getting into the sector, a pro-Palestinian cleat, a photograph of Heath Ledger because the Joker and a quote that stated, “There’s a magnificence in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unprotected by folks. It teaches you to depend on Allah for all the things.”

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