Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has a reputation for being a dirty player, and after seeing what he did to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold during their “Monday Night Football” matchup, it’s easy to understand why.
In the final minute of the first quarter of Monday’s Week 7 matchup, Al-Shaair chased down Darnold on a QB scramble down the left sideline. The 28-year-old linebacker grabbed Darnold and wrapped him up in bounds but he didn’t let go and drove the $100 million QB into the turf under his full weight well out of bounds.
The Texans were penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness, and a few plays later Seattle went up 14-0 on a 32-yard touchdown strike from Darnold to Cooper Kupp.
It’s the second time in the last three weeks that Al-Shaair had a dangerous play against an opposing QB.
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He was fined $17,389 back in Week 4 after he struck Tennessee Titans rookie signal-caller Cam Ward in the face well after he threw the ball. Ward’s head snapped back as fell to the ground.
If Al-Shaair is fined when the NFL releases its list of player infractions this weekend, it’ll mark the seventh time he’ll be fined over the last three seasons. His previous six fines have totaled $85,877.
The NFL has been cracking down on poor sportsmanship and unnecessary roughness plays this season, and the league has already fined several players a combined $115,853 this season for seven quarterback hits.
Al-Shaair will likely join Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen next week as the only players to be fined multiple times this year for late hits on a QB. Queen was fined $23,186 last week for his hit on Cleveland Browns passer Dillon Gabriel, and $17,389 back in Week 2 for his hit on Darnold.
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In addition to his mounting fines, Al-Shaair has also lost game checks because of his reckless behavior. Just last season, he was suspended for three games after a hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars passer Trevor Lawrence, prompting a public reprimand from the NFL policy and rules administration.
“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,” VP of policy and rules administration Jon Runyan said in a statement to Al-Shaair.
“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.”
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