“Madness is a lot like gravity…all it takes is a little push.” Who doesn’t remember this famous quote from The Dark Knight? Apparently, Azeez Al-Shaair feels like he’s been scapegoated by the NFL and the media and decided to channel his inner Joker in his latest Instagram post following his three-game suspension for sidelining Trevor Lawrence for the season.
But not being able to play against the Dolphins, the Chiefs and the Ravens isn’t something the Texans LB is concerned about at the moment. Agent Zero has sparked a lot of controversy in the league and he’s back for some more. Let’s hope this Joker arc is just a phase, because no one wants to see a psychopath on the field.
“IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! [middle finger emoji] SEE YOU SOON…🃏,” is what Al-Shaair’s latest Instagram post was captioned. The post has a carousel of pictures that reflect his current state of mind right now. The first one is simply a photo of Al-Shaair, but it’s the other ones that we’re more interested in.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Azeez Al-Shaair (@a_train2_)
He posted a photo of his cleats that said, “Free” on it. The next photo is simply a picture of one of the most iconic fictional villains: The Joker. But the last one is perhaps the most interesting one of them all. It’s prophetic and poetic at the same time.
“There is beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen and unprotected by people. It teaches you to rely on Allah for everything,” the photo on Al-Shaair’s post said. At least, he has the support of his coach, DeMeco Ryans, during the time of chaos. The coach addressed the media and showed nothing but support to his linebacker.
“We stand behind Azeez and everything that came from that,” Ryans said. “Of course the unfortunate hit on a quarterback. But it’s two-fold. A lot of the quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule where they slide late and they try to get an extra yard.”
Okay, maybe DeMeco Ryans makes sense here. But what about the time he punched Bears RB Roschon Johnson? What about the time he hit Tony Pollard? What about the endless compilation of Al-Shaair’s dirty hits floating around the internet? It takes two to tango. Some are of the opinion that Al-Shaair is playing a victim card. But that’s for you to decide for yourself.
On that note, let’s check out what the NFL has to say about this.
The NFL isn’t going to let Azeez Al-Shaair’s tackle slip by
NFLs VP of Policy and Administration, Jon Runyan, made it abundantly clear that they will not tolerate this “lack of sportsmanship” and his disrespect for the game of football. The Houston Texans might try to make an appeal to rescind the 3-game suspension but it’s a different department that oversees the process. So far, the league is sticking with their decision.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
“You were involved in a play that the [NFL] considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan posted Tuesday. “Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide. … You led with your forearm and helmet. And delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Per Milke Florio of NBC, though, this is NFLs attempt to make an example out of Azeez Al-Shaair so that other defensive players think twice before attempting that type of a tackle. But if the Texans LB thinks the NFL did him dirty, then his crash out might be valid.