Exclusive: NFL legend Joe Theisman happened to be at the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans game on December 1st.
Seven games were played in the 1 p.m. slot that day, including one against Theismann's former team, the Washington Commanders. But by pure chance, he tuned in to watch a game that became one of the most controversial moments of the NFL season.
Theismann witnessed a vicious illegal hit by the Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter as Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair tried to slide on a play. It was the last game for both players this season, as Al Shayer was sent off and suspended for three games, and Lawrence was placed on injured reserve until the end of the season.
“This is a violent sport, people punch each other and sometimes incidents occur,” Theismann told FOX News Digital. “The league obviously really made the decision and gave him a three-game suspension, so maybe they felt that way. [Al-Shaair] Maybe he could have controlled the ball a little more. ”
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides as Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair takes a late hit on Dec. 1, 2024 at Everbank Stadium. I got a knockdown. (Cory Perine/Florida Times Union)
For Theismann, it was a similar moment to his last down in the NFL 39 years ago. In November of the 1985 season, Theismann was tackled on a play by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, breaking the former quarterback's leg and ending his playing career.
The blow to Lawrence doesn't have nearly the same impact, but it did leave him with a concussion and sparked a massive brawl among his teammates. But Theismann also believes it's a moment that sparks a discussion about quarterback sliding.
“Quarterbacks slide. Now they're going to have to rethink a little bit. As a quarterback, you have to think about how to protect yourself. I've always said this to the players, the rules and Don’t let the rules dictate.’ Officials protect you and protect themselves,” Theismann said.
“If you're going to skate, you're going to skate a little earlier, a little earlier because of this right now. So you're hoping that something like this is used in a positive way so that we don't get to that point.” I will.'' Don't let this happen again. ”
Theismann declined to comment on whether he believed Al Shayer's suspension was justified.
Tom Brady, another famous NFL quarterback, expressed a similar opinion to Tisman in an interview with “The Herd” on December 3rd.
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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair at Everbank Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Nathan Ray Seebeck Iman Images)
“Defensive players have to be aggressive. That's what they are,” Brady said. “Quarterbacks need to take better care of themselves…When they run, they put themselves at a lot of risk. That's when the onus is on the defensive players to protect the running offensive quarterback. “I don't think it should be.'' I don't think that's really fair to the defense. ”
Brady also said he disagrees with the idea that Al Sha'air's hit indicates the linebacker is a “dirty player.”
But others are more critical of al-Sha'ir.
John Runyan, NFL Vice President of Football Operations, made the announcement. a scathing statement Immediately after the incident, amidst a wave of intense backlash against the linebacker for the hit, spoke out about Al Shaair.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and watch it is problematic and does not reflect the core values of the NFL. “Hmm…your continued disregard for the NFL's rules of play puts the health and safety at risk, both you and your opponents, and will not be tolerated,” Runyan said.
Al Shail apologized for the blow and insisted it was not intentional. But the backlash was so strong that he responded to it in different ways.
Mr Al Sha'ir also spoke out against “racist and Islamophobic fans” following public reaction to the incident. Many fans scrutinized what he wore Pro-Palestinian cleats.
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Players fight after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair punches Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/John Rau)
“The rest of the people I've been called every name in the book, from reporters preparing stories to find the villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you're my I don't need to prove my character to any of you. God knows my intentions and anyone who was my teammate or friend. “I know the heart of the world,” he wrote in a statement.
On Wednesday, he changed his tone and sent a message after it was announced that Al Shair's appeal against his three-match suspension had been rejected.
Al Shaair posted a photobook on Instagram with the cryptic caption, “If you want me to be your villain, be your villain! See you again.”
The four photos he posted include one of him entering the field, pro-Palestinian cleats, a photo of Heath Ledger as the Joker, and “There's beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unprotected.'' It teaches us to trust in Allah in everything.”
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