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Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio rips ‘embarrassing’ NFL suspension of Azeez Al-Shaair in fiery statement

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones12/03/24

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Nick Caserio
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio does not like that linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is suspended for three games for his hit on Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Trevor Lawrence. While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Caserio called it “embarrassing” while adding that the NFL’s wording and characterization of him is “bullshit.”

“It’s an unfortunate play and situation,” Nick Caserio said. “One of the biggest issues that we sort of take umbrage with as a team and organizationally is the picture that’s been painted of Azeez quite frankly is unfair. I would say one of the biggest issues, and I probably speak for a lot of teams not only Houston Texans, but I think that’s all teams ask for is consistency from the league. I say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down.”

Caserio later added: “We’re talking about some of the commentary that’s been made about his character, about the person that he is, about what his intentions are from people that quite frankly don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair. For the league to make some of the commentary that they made about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly it’s embarrassing.

“…What we take umbrage is the picture that’s been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person, quite frankly it’s bullshit. It’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization and we love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair.”

NFL says Azeez Al-Shaair has ‘lack of sportsmanship’

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On Sunday, Al-Shaair hit Lawrence who was sliding down after a six-yard run. Lawrence, who suffered a concussion, was carted off the field, and Al-Shaair was ejected from the game. On Monday, Al-Shaair issued an apology to Lawrence.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension and wrote a letter to Al-Shaair. “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,” Runyan wrote. “After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone. 

“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.”