Texans general manager Nick Caserio isn’t going to let the NFL slide for what he deemed “embarrassing” comments about suspended linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Caserio went scorched earth on the league and those issuing what he calls “bulls–t” descriptions of Al-Shaair after the linebacker received a three-game suspension for his controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence that gave the Jaguars quarterback a concussion and knocked him out of Sunday’s game.
NFL vice president of policy and rules administration Jon Runyan released a scathing comment in explaining why Al-Shaair received a three-game ban.
“For the league to make some of the commentary about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly it’s embarrassing,” Caserio said Tuesday during his team’s Week 14 bye. “And talk about a player who’s never been suspended, never been ejected, so now we’re saying he’s going to be suspended for three games?”
Al-Shaair has drawn much criticism for his hit on Lawrence Sunday, with the linebacker flying in with his forearm and knocking Lawrence’s head into the grass after the quarterback had begun his slide.
The 27-year-old said he did not intend to hurt Lawrence and apologized for hurting him, although Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans chalked it up to quarterbacks sliding late in an attempt to gain an extra yard.
The NFL wasn’t buying that explanation, with Runyan coming down harsh on the linebacker.
It’s worth noting that Runyan’s language Tuesday bared similarities to how he addressed Chargers star defensive back Derwin James after levying a one-game suspension against him earlier in the year, saying, “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated.”
Runyan also said that Al-Shaair also “escalated” a brawl and “started another physical confrontation” after the play.
“You were involved in a play that the [NFL] considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote to Al-Shaair, according to ESPN. “Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide. … You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”
He added: “Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL. Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”
Runyan’s scathing remarks seem to be in line with the largely negative backlash Al-Shaair has received over the past 48 hours.
He posted to his Instagram Story that he’s “been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villan [sic], 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.”
Caserio is not pleased with how Al-Shaair is being viewed in the public, although a video circulated on social media in the aftermath of the hit showcasing some questionable Al-Shaair plays over the years.
“What we take umbrage with is the picture that’s been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person — quite frankly, it’s bulls–t and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization and we love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair, what he means to this team, what he brings to this team,” Caserio said. “He was elected a captain after being here for four months. So, again, we have a lot of respect for our opponents, we have a lot of respect for other teams in this league, we want to do things the right way.
‘To speak on Aziz’s intentionality of what he intended to do, some of the comments that have been made, quite frankly it’s embarrassing. We’re going to support Aziz, we love everything about hm, we’re glad he’s a part of this team.”
Caserio also called out the NFL for what he believes is a lack of consistency with how it hands down suspension, noting that Lions star Brian Branch did not receive a suspension after being ejected for a hit earlier this year and James only receiving a one-game ban after a hit to the head.
Al-Shaair will appeal the suspension, per ESPN.
“I’d say one of the biggest issues is that … all teams ask for is consistency from the league,” Caserio said, “and I’d say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down.”
