Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair received a three-game suspension in December for his illegal hit to the helmet of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Al-Shaair said Wednesday the subsequent weeks left him in a "really dark place."
Al-Shaair's hit of a sliding Lawrence launched an ugly on-field brawl between Houston and Jacksonville, and in the ensuing days, controversy swarmed over both the hit and the NFL's reaction. Al-Shaair said Wednesday he sat alone in a room in his home for roughly five days after a suspension, in which NFL executive Jon Runyan told Al-Shaair "our lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling.