"Indefinitely. Has a history of being a dirty player": NFL fans vote for Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair to be suspended permanently

During Sunday's intense matchup, a split-second decision by Houston Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair turned a routine play into a potentially career-altering moment. Midway through the second quarter, Trevor Lawrence scrambled out of the pocket for a six-yard run. As the Jaguars quarterback began sliding, Azeez Al-Shaair lunged forward, delivering a devastating hit with his left elbow to Lawrence's head and neck.

The impact was immediate and severe. Lawrence was carted off the field, with the Jaguars quickly confirming a concussion. The 2022 Pro Bowler later assured fans through social media that he was "home and feeling better." The incident reignited concerns about player safety in the NFL.

Azeez Al-Shaair's hit wasn't just a moment of poor judgment. It triggered an immediate on-field confrontation. Jaguars players, including tight end Evan Engram, directly challenged Al-Shaair.

"Trevor was going down," Engram told reporters after the game. "I saw it out of my peripheral vision. It just didn't feel like a clean hit."

The linebacker's controversial history quickly came to light. Fans unleashed a firestorm of criticism, drawing from multiple previous incidents.

"Indefinitely. Has a history of being a dirty player," a fan wrote.

"They should kick him out the NFL before he ends someone's career," one fan said.

"Lifetime ban! Repeat offender," another fan wrote.

"Azeez Al-Shaair Should Never Be Allowed To Play Football Ever Again," another a fan said.

"Make an example of him @NFL this shouldn't be in the game," another fan wrote.

"He was not hit in the chest. He took a direct shot to the face mask from the elbow and arm," one fan said.

Azeez Al-Shaair's history of dirty play

The controversy extends beyond this single incident. In September, Aziz Al-Shaair was fined $11,817 for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson during a sideline scuffle. Even more concerning, a viral video resurfaced showing Al-Shaair nearly choking Tom Brady during a 2022 game with the San Francisco 49ers — an act that went unchallenged by officials at the time.

Aziz Al-Shaair took to social media with a lengthy apology on Sunday.

"I've always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone," Al-Shaair wrote. "... genuinely didn't see him sliding until it was too late."

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans tried to mitigate the situation and said that the play was "not what we're coaching" and "not representative of who Azeez is." Ryans added that he plans to meet with Al-Shaair about the hit.

The NFL now faces a critical decision. With Lawrence's injury and Al-Shaair's growing reputation for dangerous plays, many expect a significant suspension. Fans and players alike are calling for stricter consequences to protect player safety.

The incident leaves a crucial question hanging: Has Al-Shaair crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed?