One of the biggest stories in the NFL right now is Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for three games following a late hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, a hit that forced Jacksonville to place their quarterback on IR. Steelers DT Cam Heyward, one of the NFL’s most respected veteran defenders, shared his thoughts on the matter on the most recent episode of his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.
Heyward acknowledged the hit on Lawrence was dirty but described it as a “bang-bang call”, arguing defenders must be cautious of fake slides and whether a QB is truly giving themselves up.
Another interesting argument that Heyward made, one that no one seems to be mentioning, is that the NFL’s Vice President of the Policy and Rules administration, John Runyan, has more than his fair share of ‘dirty’ plays. The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle argued that Runyan and the NFL suspending Azeez was like “the pot calling the kettle black.”
While Azeez’s appeal was denied, Heyward raises important questions about whether the NFL is consistent in enforcing suspensions and fines.