By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Joe Theismann reveals his stance on Azeez Al-Shaair’s controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Joe Theismann reveals his stance on Azeez Al-Shaair’s controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence
News

Joe Theismann reveals his stance on Azeez Al-Shaair’s controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: December 15, 2024 3:12 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published December 15, 2024
Share
SHARE

Join Fox News for access to this content

Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account – free of charge.

By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.

Please enter a valid email address.

Having trouble? Click here.

EXCLUSIVE: NFL legend Joe Theismann just so happened to put on the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the Houston Texans on Dec. 1. 

Seven games took place at the 1 p.m. slot that day, including one featuring Theismann’s former team, the Washington Commanders. But out of sheer coincidence, he tuned in to watch a game that ended up with one of the most controversial moments of the NFL season.

Theismann saw the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence take a vicious illegal hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in the second quarter when the quarterback tried to slide down on a play. It was the last play for either player this season, as Al-Shaair was ejected and dealt a three-game suspension while Lawrence has been placed on season-ending injury reserve. 

“It is a violent sport, people hit one another, and sometimes things happen,” Theismann told Fox News 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.”

For Theismann, it was a moment that resembled the last time he played a down in the NFL 39 years ago. In November of the 1985 season, Theismann was tackled by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor on a play that broke the former quarterback’s leg and ended his playing career. 

The hit to Lawrence won’t have nearly the same impact, but it did give him a concussion and sparked a massive brawl between teammates. But Theismann also believes that it’s a moment that should also spark a discussion 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 said. 

“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 comment about whether he thought the suspension to Al-Shaair was justified. 

Fellow famed NFL quarterback Tom Brady delivered a similar take to Theismann’s during an interview on “The Herd” on Dec. 3. 

NAVY PULLS OFF UPSET OVER ARMY WITH TRUMP, STAR-STUDDED GROUP IN ATTENDANCE

Trevor Lawrence goes down

“Defensive players have to be aggressive, that’s they’re nature,” Brady said. “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 also said he disagreed with the notion that Al-Shaair’s hit indicates the linebacker is a “dirty player.”

However, others have been much more critical of Al-Shaair. 

Jon Runyan, NFL vice president of football operations, released a scathing statement about Al-Shaair shortly after the incident, amid a wave of intense backlash against 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 said.

Al-Shaair has apologized for the hit and insisted that it wasn’t intentional. But the backlash has been so strong that he’s reacted to it in multiple ways. 

Al-Shaair also spoke out against “racist and Islamophobic fans” in the aftermath of the public response to the incident. Many fans scrutinized him for wearing pro-Palestinian cleats.

Azeez Al-Shair fight

“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 a statement. 

After it was announced Al-Shaair’s appeal of his three-game suspension was denied, he sent a message with a different tone Wednesday. 

Al-Shaair posted an Instagram photo collection with the cryptic caption, “IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! SEE YOU SOON.”

The four photos he posted were of him entering the field, a pro-Palestinian cleat, a photo of Heath Ledger as the Joker and a quote that said, “There is a beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unprotected by people. It teaches you to rely on Allah for everything.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.



Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

Coast Guard intercepts boat carrying illegal migrants as expulsion flight operations begin

Texas AG sues New York doctor who allegedly prescribed abortion pills to woman in Lone Star State

Jay Leno addresses rumors his facial injuries were related to mob retaliation

With Gaetz dropping out, do Hegseth, RFK Jr. and Gabbard now have bigger targets on their backs?

Browns’ Joe Flacco ‘expecting’ team to select quarterback in NFL Draft

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Newsom debuts rapid-response website as critics accuse him of prioritizing presidential ambitions
News

Newsom debuts rapid-response website as critics accuse him of prioritizing presidential ambitions

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey May 9, 2025
Jemele Hill returns to ESPN’s ‘Around the Horn’ before show’s cancellation, jokes about previous firing
USA Fencing transgender controversy escalates at DOGE hearing with social media regrets, calls for resignation
I Carry: Springfield Armory TRP 1911 AOS Pistol in an ANR Design Holster
Charles Barkley expresses concern about how Jordon Hudson is affecting Bill Belichick’s legacy
Biden stumbles over question about Harris’ timetable to win after he dropped out of race
Republican DA bucks blue state’s ‘broken sentencing’ with tough-on-crime approach
News

Republican DA bucks blue state’s ‘broken sentencing’ with tough-on-crime approach

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey May 9, 2025
DHS defends ICE detainment of Georgia college student who violated traffic laws: ‘Not ignoring rule of law’
News

DHS defends ICE detainment of Georgia college student who violated traffic laws: ‘Not ignoring rule of law’

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey May 9, 2025
Randy Travis stages stunning comeback with help from AI after devastating stroke
News

Randy Travis stages stunning comeback with help from AI after devastating stroke

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey May 9, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Guns and Gear
  • Videos
  • Blog
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?