EXCLUSIVE: NFL legend Joe Theismann simply so occurred to placed on the Jacksonville Jaguars recreation in opposition to the Houston Texans on Dec. 1.
Seven video games occurred on the 1 p.m. slot that day, together with one that includes Theismann’s former crew, the Washington Commanders. However out of sheer coincidence, he tuned in to look at a recreation that ended up with one of the crucial controversial moments of the NFL season.
Theismann noticed the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence take a vicious unlawful hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair within the second quarter when the quarterback tried to slip down on a play. It was the final play for both participant this season, as Al-Shaair was ejected and dealt a three-game suspension whereas Lawrence has been positioned on season-ending harm reserve.
“It is a violent sport, people hit one another, and sometimes things happen,” Theismann advised Fox Information Digital. “The league evidently really made the decision and gave him a three-game suspension so they felt that maybe [Al-Shaair] could have controlled the hit a bit more.”
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides for a down as Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair makes a late hit, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium. (Corey Perrine/Florida Occasions-Union)
For Theismann, it was a second that resembled the final time he performed a down within the NFL 39 years in the past. In November of the 1985 season, Theismann was tackled by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor on a play that broke the previous quarterback’s leg and ended his taking part in profession.
The hit to Lawrence will not have practically the identical impression, but it surely did give him a concussion and sparked a large brawl between teammates. However Theismann additionally believes that it is a second that also needs to spark a dialogue on quarterbacks sliding.
“The quarterback slide, now they’re going to have to revisit a little bit. As a quarterback you have to consider the way you want to protect yourself. I’ve always told players this, don’t just let the rules or the officials protect you, protect yourself,” Theismann stated.
“If you’re going to slide, guy will, now because of this, maybe slide a little bit quicker, a little bit earlier, so you try and hope that something like this will be used in a positive way so that we don’t see this happen again.”
Theismann declined to remark about whether or not he thought the suspension to Al-Shaair was justified.
Fellow famed NFL quarterback Tom Brady delivered an analogous take to Theismann’s throughout an interview on “The Herd” on Dec. 3.
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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides down in entrance of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, Dec. 1, 2024. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photographs)
“Defensive players have to be aggressive, that’s they’re nature,” Brady stated. “The quarterbacks need to take better care of themselves… When you run, you put yourself in a lot of danger. When you do that, I don’t think the onus of protecting an offensive quarterback who’s running should be on a defensive player. I don’t think that’s really fair to a defense.”
Brady additionally stated he disagreed with the notion that Al-Shaair’s hit signifies the linebacker is a “dirty player.”
Nonetheless, others have been far more crucial of Al-Shaair.
Jon Runyan, NFL vp of soccer operations, launched a scathing assertion about Al-Shaair shortly after the incident, amid a wave of intense backlash in opposition to the linebacker for the hit.
“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 stated.
Al-Shaair has apologized for the hit and insisted that it wasn’t intentional. However the backlash has been so sturdy that he is reacted to it in a number of methods.
Al-Shaair additionally spoke out in opposition to “racist and Islamophobic fans” within the aftermath of the general public response to the incident. Many followers scrutinized him for carrying pro-Palestinian cleats.
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Gamers combat after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair hit Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville. (AP Picture/John Raoux)
“To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, 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. God knows my intentions and anyone who has been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart,” he wrote in an announcement.
After it was introduced Al-Shaair’s enchantment of his three-game suspension was denied, he despatched a message with a special tone Wednesday.
Al-Shaair posted an Instagram picture assortment with the cryptic caption, “IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! SEE YOU SOON.”
The 4 images he posted had been of him getting into the sector, a pro-Palestinian cleat, a photograph of Heath Ledger because the Joker and a quote that stated, “There is a beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unprotected by people. It teaches you to rely on Allah for everything.”
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