In a fiery showdown on Sunday night, Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair found himself at the center of controversy after a heated altercation with Bears running back Roschon Johnson. Despite the intensity of the situation, Al-Shaair managed to avoid being ejected from the game, but his actions did not go unnoticed.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC, Al-Shaair was hit with a hefty fine of approximately $11,000 for his punch on Johnson. This came as a relief for the linebacker, as he narrowly escaped a suspension for Week 3. The standard fine for such an offense is typically set at $11,817, making Al-Shaair’s punishment slightly less severe.
The incident unfolded during a crucial moment in the game when Al-Shaair made a questionable hit on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams along the sideline. As the rookie QB was heading out of bounds, Al-Shaair’s actions sparked outrage among the Bears players, prompting a swift response in defense of their teammate. In the heat of the moment, Al-Shaair retaliated by delivering a punch to Johnson’s facemask, escalating tensions on the field.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, upon reviewing the film of the incident, came to Al-Shaair’s defense but also reiterated the team’s stance on such behavior, stating, “we can’t throw punches.” Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Al-Shaair put up an impressive performance on the field, tallying 10 tackles and a sack against the Bears. On the other hand, Johnson’s contribution came in the form of 15 special teams snaps, highlighting the contrast in their roles during the game.
As the dust settles on this contentious matchup, Al-Shaair’s fine serves as a reminder of the consequences of allowing emotions to boil over on the field. Moving forward, both teams will undoubtedly be looking to maintain their composure and focus on the game at hand, leaving the drama behind them.
