One of the most memorable moments from Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season has now resulted in a suspension.
Trevor Lawrence returned to the starting lineup last Sunday against the Houston Texans, but was injured on this brutal hit from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. As you can see below Lawrence slid near the first-down marker on this second down play late in the first half, but Al-Shaair launched into the QB’s head with a forearm, leaving the QB stunned on the turf at EverBank Stadium:
hat hit touched off a melee along the Jaguars’ sideline, and Al-Shaair was ejected from the game, along with Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones.
Both Lawrence and Al-Shaair took to social media after the game, with the quarterback letting fans know that he was doing well, while the linebacker issued an apology to Lawrence:
Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) December 2, 2024
However, that apology was not enough for Al-Shaair to avoid a suspension from the league, as the NFL announced on Tuesday that the linebacker has been suspended for three games for the hit on Lawrence. In announcing the suspension Jon Runyan, the NFL’s Vice President of Football Operations, had this to say:
“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.”
Here is the full announcement from the league:
The suspension means that barring a successful appeal, Al-Shaair will miss games against the Miami Dolphins, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Baltimore Ravens.
Update: Al-Shaair’s appeal was denied by Ramon Foster on Wednesday, and the linebacker will miss three games:
Hearing officer Ramon Foster, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, has upheld the three-game suspension of Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) December 4, 2024
