In Week 13, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence went down with a concussion after a late hit by Houston Texans safety Azeez Al-Shaair, which resulted in an on-field fight, Al-Shaair being ejected and Lawrence carted off and unable to return to the game.
The NFL felt the late hit by Al-Shaair deserved to be made an example of, resulting in the league suspending him for three games.
Al-Shaair has appealed the suspension in an effort to get it reversed or reduced, and Texans general manager Nick Caserio is not happy about the ruling.
“I think that’s all teams ask for is consistency from the league, and I’d say in this situation, I mean, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down,” Caserio said, via Albert Breer of The MMQB.
Incredibly impassioned defense of Azeez Al-Shaair from Texans GM Nick Caserio. pic.twitter.com/WkjeLMBJwH
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 3, 2024
Caserio’s comments drew almost equally passionate reactions across social media.
He punched a player after a play in the helmet on the sidelines earlier this season. What are your thoughts on that, Mr. Caserio? Is that good sportsmanship?
— jay schulz (@jayschulz1) December 3, 2024
The Texans are clearly not an organization interested in having a culture of accountability.
— ledtear Ù† (@ledtear) December 3, 2024
Just take the L. The guy has a track record.
— Russell Midkiff (@rbmidkiff) December 3, 2024
Love this. Stand up for your guys. No consistency from the league on discipline.
— Angry NFL Runs (@AngryNFLruns) December 3, 2024
Most fans don’t seem too happy about Caserio’s remarks, even though some seemed to praise the GM for sticking up for one of his players the way that he did.
The league clearly is trying to make an example of Al-Shaair for a hit on a star quarterback, even though the safety doesn’t have a track record for this kind of action on the football field, but that is the way the NFL is today.
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