The Houston Texans may have been proven correct in their arguments on behalf of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, following the NFL’s latest decision to fine cornerback Derek Stingley—but not Al-Shaair—ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Al-Shaair was flagged for unnecessary roughness after tackling Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold along the sidelines in the first quarter of “Monday Night Football.” Despite the penalty call, the NFL chose not to fine Al-Shaair. Meanwhile, Seahawks linebacker Greenlaw, who protested the penalty during and after the game, was also not fined.
### Derek Stingley Tagged With Fine After Facemask Penalty
Although Stingley’s penalty did not attract as much attention as Al-Shaair’s, it still cost the All-Pro cornerback $11,593. Stingley, who is under a three-year, $90 million contract, was penalized for grabbing wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s facemask during a return after intercepting a pass from Darnold.
The play stood, granting the Texans possession after they had turned the ball over on downs two plays earlier.
Additionally, Smith-Njigba was fined $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct due to dunking on the goalpost. It was an expensive night for Stingley, the Texans, and Smith-Njigba alike.
### Al-Shaair Avoids Further Penalty
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio highlighted the surprising absence of a fine for Al-Shaair on the NFL’s football operations portal, especially given the Texans team captain’s prior history of fines. Earlier this season, Al-Shaair was penalized for a hit to the head of Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward.
“Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has a fairly extensive history of fines for in-game infractions,” Florio wrote on October 25. “He seemed poised to receive another one after being called for unnecessary roughness during a tackle of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold on Monday night. Ultimately, no fine was imposed.”
Florio noted that while the officials ruled the play as unnecessary roughness, the league office—the same group that suspended Al-Shaair for three games last December—decided against fining him again.
Previously, Florio had anticipated further discipline for Al-Shaair due to his past infractions. In an article dated October 21, he questioned whether the linebacker’s third finable offense since returning from suspension might trigger another fine or even a suspension.
Instead, the league appeared to accept the circumstances closer to how Al-Shaair himself described them.
### Al-Shaair Stands Ground After Latest Polarizing Penalty
Al-Shaair has been adamant that he did nothing wrong on the play. He told reporters on October 21 that he questioned the officials during the Texans’ eventual loss to the Seahawks but was given mixed messages, being told he hit Darnold late.
“It really was me running with my receiver, him running. I pushed off of the receiver, right to the tackle. He lowers his shoulder. We both just kind of hit each other,” Al-Shaair explained. “I’m driving him. He’s trying to drive his legs. Still no whistle, but my head is in his chest. So, I don’t really know where I’m at on the field. There’s still no whistle. They never blew the whistle until after I dropped him on the ground.”
He continued, “It’s just confusing because that happened a whole bunch today. And I don’t, I guess, normally, think that you’re able to kind of play a little bit longer with the whistle. But it just awkwardly—if the guy stopped, then blow the whistle. So, I just…it was weird.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans backed Al-Shaair’s explanation of the play, supporting his linebacker in the aftermath of the controversial call.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans/stingley-fined-seahawks-al-shaair-ryans-49ers/