EXCLUSIVE: NFL legend Joe Theismann simply so occurred to placed on the Jacksonville Jaguars sport in opposition to the Houston Texans on Dec. 1.
Seven video games happened on the 1 p.m. slot that day, together with one that includes Theismann’s former group, the Washington Commanders. However out of sheer coincidence, he tuned in to look at a sport 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 damage reserve.
“It’s a violent sport, folks hit each other, and typically issues occur,” Theismann advised Fox Information Digital. “The league evidently actually made the choice and gave him a three-game suspension so that they felt that possibly [Al-Shaair] may have managed the hit a bit extra.”
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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 almost the identical affect, nevertheless it did give him a concussion and sparked an enormous 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’ll need to revisit somewhat bit. As a quarterback you must think about the way in which you need to defend your self. I’ve all the time advised gamers this, do not simply let the foundations or the officers defend you, defend your self,” Theismann stated.
“If you are going to slide, man will, now due to this, possibly slide somewhat bit faster, somewhat bit earlier, so that you try to hope that one thing like this shall be utilized in a optimistic method in order that we do not see this occur once more.”
Theismann declined to remark about whether or not he thought the suspension to Al-Shaair was justified.
Fellow famed NFL quarterback Tom Brady delivered the same 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 gamers need to be aggressive, that is they’re nature,” Brady stated. “The quarterbacks have to take higher care of themselves… Whenever you run, you place your self in lots of hazard. Whenever you do this, I don’t assume the onus of defending an offensive quarterback who’s operating needs to be on a defensive participant. I don’t assume that’s actually truthful to a protection.”
Brady additionally stated he disagreed with the notion that Al-Shaair’s hit signifies the linebacker is a “soiled participant.”
Nonetheless, others have been far more vital of Al-Shaair.
Jon Runyan, NFL vice chairman of soccer operations, launched a scathing statement 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 sport of soccer and all those that play, coach, and revel in watching it, is troubling and doesn’t replicate the core values of the NFL… 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 stated.
Al-Shaair has apologized for the hit and insisted that it wasn’t intentional. However the backlash has been so robust that he is reacted to it in a number of methods.
Al-Shaair additionally spoke out in opposition to “racist and Islamophobic followers” within the aftermath of the general public response to the incident. Many followers scrutinized him for sporting pro-Palestinian cleats.
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Gamers battle after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair hit Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville. (AP Picture/John Raoux)
“To the remainder of the individuals who I’ve been referred to as each single title within the e book from reporters with their palms prepared for a narrative to search out their villain, to racist and Islamophobic followers and folks, you don’t know my coronary heart nor my character which I don’t have to show to any of you. God is aware of my intentions and anybody who has been a teammate or pal of mine is aware of my coronary heart,” he wrote in a press release.
After it was introduced Al-Shaair’s attraction of his three-game suspension was denied, he despatched a message with a special tone Wednesday.
Al-Shaair posted an Instagram photograph 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 have been of him coming into the sphere, a pro-Palestinian cleat, a photograph of Heath Ledger because the Joker and a quote that stated, “There’s a magnificence in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unprotected by folks. It teaches you to depend on Allah for every thing.”
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