How much will Azeez Al-Shaair’s nasty hit on Trevor Lawrence cost him? Report reveals financial implications of controversial tackle
Week 13 was certainly an eventful one. Between the Thanksgiving Day games, the Raiders-Chiefs Black Friday game a host of matchups where a spot in the playoffs was on the line, NFL teams battled it out to rack up another win to fortify their hopes.
One game that stood out for all the wrong reasons was the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans matchup where Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's brutal hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence led to an all-out brawl at EverBank Stadium.
Late in the first half with Lawrence looking to get things going on second-and-7 near midfield, Al-Shaair stopped him in his tracks in a tackle that sent Jaguars fans into a panic. The linebacker dove head-first into Lawrence, making contact with his upper body. Lawrence, who was in the fencing posture, exhibited signs of blunt trauma to the head and was subsequently ruled out of the game.
On Tuesday, the league announced a three-game suspension for Azeez Al-Shaair. While the league didn't announce how much of a fine they'll levy on the Texans linebacker, Spotrac notes that the hit on Lawrence will cost him $250,000 from his salary in addition to $88,235 of his per-game bonus. He was previously fined nearly $48,000 for four infractions (late hit, fighting, facemask, roughing the passer).
Azeez Al-Shaair set to challenge 3-game suspension for Trevor Lawrence hit
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan said in a statement to the media:
"The play was unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules. After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask.
"After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and re-engaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.”
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Al-Shaair will lodge an appeal against the three-game suspension, as is his right according to the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Unless the appeal is successful, Al-Shaair will be out of the scheme of things until Week 17.