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Texans RB Joe Mixon Rips Into Jon Runyan for Azeez Al-Shaair Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Austin Boyd | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 3:31 PM ET

It's safe to say the Houston Texans are not happy about the three-game suspension the NFL gave Azeez Al-Shaair for his late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 13. NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan released a statement condemning Al-Shaair and suggested he lacks sportsmanship and respect for the game of football.

Runyan may have taken his statement and the suspension too far as Texans general manager Nick Caserio blasted the NFL in a Tuesday press conference , calling the suspension "unfair" and embarrassing while citing players who got ejected for similar hits but didn't receive a three-game suspension. Now running back Joe Mixon is joining the conversation.

He responded to a video on X of Runyan making a late hit during his playing days and called the former offensive lineman a hypocrite while saying he doesn't have "integrity" for the game.

Is this not the same person that just suspended agent 0?

Dude had no integrity for the game.. Does anybody else not see the hypocrisy in this… WHAT ARE WE DOING!?!? ‍♂️ https://t.co/xxFVmMuufo
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) December 3, 2024

The Texans are standing behind Al-Shaair. He has never been suspended before so he doesn't have a history that the NFL can cite as a reason why they gave him a more severe punishment.

Regardless, it's possible that Al-Shaair's suspension will be reduced after he appeals to the league but Mixon and Caserio could be facing fines for calling out the NFL in a public way.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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