Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is restrained after being ejected from an NFL game against Jacksonville for an illegal hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

New York (AFP) - Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended three games for a brutal illegal hit that left Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence with a concussion, the NFL announced on Tuesday.

Jon Runyan, NFL vice president of football operations, issued the suspension and the league published part of Runyan’s letter to Al-Shaair explaining the punishment.

“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Runyan wrote. “You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”

Lawrence was sliding to a stop on a six-yard scramble in the game on Sunday when Al-Shaair slammed into his head. A mass shoving match ensued, not from where Lawrence was lying on the field.

Al-Shaair was ejected and Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones was also thrown out of the game for his role in the fight.

Things heated up again briefly when Al-Shaair and Jacksonville guard Brandon Scherff traded words and Al-Shaair was restrained as he was escorted off the field.

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” Runyan told Al-Shaair.

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”

Al-Shaair apologized on Monday via social media, but it’s not the first time this season that he was involved in an onfield altercation.

In September he escaped a suspension after punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson, although he was reportedly fined $11,000 by the NFL.

That incident came after Al-Shaair hit Bears quarterback Caleb Williams along the sideline as Williams was headed out of bounds. When several Bears players complained, Al-Shaair punched Johnson’s facemask.