Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shair will not escape a three-game suspension for his illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The NFL upheld the suspension after Al Sha'air appealed.
“Hearing Officer Ramon Foster, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, upheld the three-game suspension of Houston linebacker Azeez Al Shaair,” said Michael, NFL Senior Vice President of Football and International Public Affairs. Signora wrote in a post to X on Wednesday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair during a game Sunday at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Nathan Ray Seebeck Iman Images)
Al Shair's hit on Lawrence happened with just over four minutes left in the first half of Sunday's game between Jacksonville and Houston. Lawrence started sliding on a second-and-seven play and scrambled to his left. At that point, Al Shair raised his forearm and appeared to strike the unsuspecting quarterback.
Chaos then broke out on the field as Jacksonville players physically reacted to Al Shaair's batted ball, and a violent brawl broke out between both teams. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram was the first player seen pushing and shoving Al Shaair after the hit, followed by multiple other players.
Texans' Demeco Ryans suggests Trevor Lawrence is responsible for brutal hitting, says Jags players are overreacting
On Sunday, players broke out in an altercation after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair punched Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during a game at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. It will be. (AP Photo/John Rau)
After the match, Al Shair also spoke out against “racist and Islamophobic fans” following public reaction to the incident. He apologized and insisted it was not intentional.
“I've always played the game as hard as I can. It was never my intention to hurt anyone and anyone who knows me knows that. My goal is to hit you as hard as I can. , so I hope you still win. Get up and make the next play,” he said in a statement. “And when the game is over, go home to your family without any injuries, because it's nothing personal! It's just a competition. We're both trying to do the same thing to provide for our families. is!”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair during a game Sunday at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Cory Perine/Florida Times Union)
“I didn't really see him sliding until it was too late and it all happened in the blink of an eye. I sincerely apologize to Trevor for what happened as a result. We talked and talked about how it happened.'' We were happy to see you back on the field, especially when a player was injured by a hit that was deemed “delayed'' or “unnecessary.'' I never want to see you do that. To the rest of his teammates, I can definitely see that you will support him and protect him even in such a situation,” said Al Shair.
Al Shair was fined earlier this year for punching running back Roshon Johnson on the sideline during the Chicago Bears' Week 2 game. The incident occurred during a scuffle that began after Al Shair took a hard shot at Bears quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline. Not flagged.
Meanwhile, Lawrence was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, effectively ending his season.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast, and please subscribeFox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
