The NFL hopes three video games is sufficient for Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to be taught a lesson he ought to have discovered years in the past.
On Tuesday, the league suspended Al-Shaair for 3 video games for a grimy, low cost hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 13, leaving the No. 1 general choose of the 2021 NFL Draft with a concussion.
In asserting the suspension, Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice chairman of soccer operations, wrote, “Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the sport of soccer and all those that play, coach and luxuriate in watching it, is troubling and doesn’t replicate the core values of the NFL.”
Nevertheless, the league is displaying an excessive amount of leniency by suspending Al-Shaair, a repeat offender, for less than three video games.
ESPN’s “Get Up” listed Al-Shaair’s a number of offenses since 2023, together with over $40,000 in fines from roughing the passer and facemask penalties, preventing and a late hit.
“Your continued disregard for NFL taking part in guidelines places the well being and security of each you and your opponents in jeopardy and won’t be tolerated,” Runyan added.
That final level makes Al-Shaair’s three-game ban much more ridiculous. If the NFL actually believes he is a hazard to different gamers, it owes it to the remainder of the league to guard them from somebody who’s proven he would not care about anybody else’s well being.
What occurs when Al-Shaair inevitably attracts one other foul for pointless roughness? His suspension could be everlasting at that time, however that will probably be of little consolation to any participant he would possibly injure.
The NFL is greater than anyone participant. Al-Shaair has frequently proved he would not deserve the chance to play within the league along with his constantly soiled play.
His three-game suspension solely quantities to a slap on the wrist. By solely placing him in timeout, the NFL is just delaying its subsequent disaster.