Exclusive: NFL legend Joe Theismann happens to have worn these shoes Jacksonville Jaguars Game against the Houston Texans on December 1.
Seven games were played at 1pm that day, including one involving Theismann's former team, the Washington Commanders. But by sheer coincidence, he went on to watch a match that ended in one of the most successful matches Controversial moments Of the NFL season.
Theismann saw the Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence take a vicious, illegal hit from Texans linebacker Aziz El Shaer in the second quarter when the quarterback attempted to slide into the play. It was the last game for either player of the season, as El Shaer was sent off and suspended for three matches while Lawrence was placed on injury reserve at the end of the season.
“It's a violent sport, people hit each other, and sometimes things happen,” Theismann told Fox News Digital. He added: “Obviously the league had already made the decision and suspended him for three games, so they felt that maybe (Al-Shaer) could have controlled the hit a little bit more.”
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides downfield as Houston Texans linebacker Aziz El-Shaer makes a late hit on Dec. 1, 2024, at Everbank Stadium. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)
For Theismann, it was a moment similar to the last time he played in the NFL, 39 years ago. In November of the 1985 season, Theismann was tackled by New York Giants' Lawrence Taylor on a play that broke the former quarterback's leg and ended his playing career.
The hit on Lawrence wouldn't have nearly the same impact, but it gave him a concussion and sparked a huge brawl among his teammates. But Theismann also believes this is a moment that should also spark a discussion about quarterback slide.
“The midfielder backed off, now they're going to have to reconsider a little bit. As a midfielder, you have to think about how you want to protect yourself. I've always told the players this, don't let the rules or the rules protect you, protect yourself,” Theismann said.
“If you're going to slide, the guy's going to slide now because of this, maybe he'll slide a little faster, or a little earlier, so you try and hope that something like this can be used in a positive way so we can.” “I will never see this happen again.”
Theismann declined to comment on whether he believed the poet's suspension was justified.
Fellow famous NFL player, Tom Brady, offered a similar opinion to Theismann's during an interview on “The Herd” on Dec. 3.
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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides past Houston Texans linebacker Aziz El Shaer at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, December 1, 2024. (Photos by Nathan Ray Sibick-Imagine)
“Defensive players have to be aggressive, that's their nature,” Brady said. “Midfielders need to take better care of themselves… When you run, you put yourself at great risk. When you do that, I don't think the burden of protecting an attacking midfielder who is running should fall on a defensive player. I don't think that's really fair to the defense.” “
Brady also said he doesn't agree with the idea that Shaer's injury indicates the linebacker is a “dirty player.”
However, there were others who were more critical of the poet.
John Runyan, the NFL's vice president of football operations, issued a… A stinging statement Al-Shaer was transferred shortly after the incident, amid a wave of backlash against the full-back over the strike.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach and enjoy watching it is disturbing and does not reflect the core values of the NFL… Your continued disregard for the NFL’s rules of play has health and safety in mind.” “You and your opponents are in danger and will not be tolerated,” Runyan said.
The poet apologized for the attack and insisted that it was not intentional. But the backlash was so strong that he reacted in multiple ways.
Al-Shaer also spoke out against “racist and Islamophobic fans” following the public reaction to the incident. Many fans checked him out to wear it Pro-Palestinian Al-Murabit.
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Players fight after Houston Texans linebacker Aziz El-Shaer hits Jaguars linebacker Trevor Lawrence, on Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville. (AP Photo/John Rao)
“To the rest of the people who have been called every name in the book from the reporters who have their hands ready for a story to find the villain, to the fans and people who are racist and Islamophobic, you don’t know my heart or my heart.” “A character I don’t need to prove to any of you, God knows my intentions and anyone who has been a colleague or friend of mine knows my heart,” he wrote in a statement.
After announcing the rejection of Al-Shaer’s appeal against his three-match suspension, he sent a message in a different tone on Wednesday.
The poet posted a collage of photos on Instagram with the cryptic caption, “If you want me to be evil, I'll be evil! See you soon.”
The four photos he posted were of him entering the field, wearing a pro-Palestinian cleat, a photo of Heath Ledger as the Joker, and a quote that read: “There is beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unprotected by people. It teaches you to depend on God is in everything.”
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