Calls Mount for Texans Player to be Punished After Punch, Hit on Caleb Williams

Houston Texans defender Azeez Al-Shaair sparked chaos in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears with a fierce hit on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

Al-Shaair made Williams pay after he scrambled and looked to get out of bounds. Williams wasn't quick enough finding the sideline and Al-Shaair lowered the boom.

Bears players quickly came to their quarterback's defense along their sideline and Al-Shaair lost his cool. The 27-year-old linebacker threw a punch that landed square on Roschon Johnson's facemask.

Al-Shaair's actions went unflagged, sparking frustration among many viewers.

"I guess the NFL officials are a new level of blind this season," said Joey DeBerardino , a reporter for WDTN in Dayton. "A literal close-fisted punch to the face from Azeez Al-Shaair isn’t even a flag. How was one not thrown during that entire scrum?"

Many fans demanded that Al-Shaair face consequences for his actions.

"Punching shouldn’t be allowed in any circumstance," a fan chimed in . "Azeez Al-Shaair should be suspended and fined."

"Al-Shaair should be tossed. Since he didn't, he should get a big fine or a suspension...at least a game," another fan said . "That was some BS."

Another fan said : "Anything short of a season ending suspension is too good for scumbag Azeez Al-Shaair."

The NFL is likely to review Al-Shaair's actions, which could lead to a suspension and a significant fine. According to the NFL rulebook , "throwing a punch, forearm, or kick at an opponent, even if no contact is made," is prohibited and should result in a 15-yard penalty, with the possibility of ejection "if the action is flagrant."

The replay booth could not retroactively create a penalty for the punch since the refs initially missed it on the field, per The Athletic .

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