NFL's Dirty Hit Controversy: Bill Romanowski Weighs In on Azeez Al-Shaair's Hit on Trevor Lawrence

The recent hit by Azeez Al-Shaair on Trevor Lawrence during the Texans vs. Jaguars game has prompted massive debate, with former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski calling it "abso-fricken-lutely" a dirty play.

Despite its controversial nature, Romanowski, known for his own hard-hitting career, admitted he "loved" it. Here is a breakdown of the incident, Romanowski's reaction, and what's next for Al-Shaair.

The Hit That Stoked Outrage: A Breakdown of the Play

NFL's Dirty Hit Controversy: Bill Romanowski Weighs In on Azeez

During the second quarter of the game between the Texans and the Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence, quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was running to gain a first down. According to TMZ Sports, as Lawrence ran some 10 yards and was beginning to slide, linebacker for the Houston Texans Azeez Al-Shaair made his move and jumped on Lawrence's head with his full force.

The impact was severe, and it led to a major injury for Lawrence, prompting an immediate brawl on the field. As a result, Al-Shaair was handed a three-game suspension by the NFL on Tuesday.

Bill Romanowski's Take: 'Dirty,' But He 'Loved It'

Former linebacker Bill Romanowski, known for his hard-hitting and controversial plays during his own career, weighed in on the hit to TMZ Sports.

Romanowski, who's no stranger to bending the rules on the field, admitted the hit was undeniably "dirty," but he couldn't help but express his appreciation for it.

He admitted that it was a "bang-bang" play, in which Al-Shaair simply didn't have enough time to stop. But Romanowski also said he enjoyed the impact of the hit and declared, "I loved it!!!" knowing how hot it was.

The Consequences: A Three-Game Suspension and the Appeal

Due to the hit, Al-Shaair has been suspended for three games by the NFL. The decision of the league has faced strong reactions, particularly from Texans' general manager Nick Caserio, who publicly criticized the ruling and even stated that Al-Shaair may have a basis to appeal the suspension.

The linebacker can still file an appeal for his suspension, and considering that major people within the Texans' organization are criticizing this ruling, there is a possibility of him winning his case. Regardless of what might happen to his appeal, the truth is that Al-Shaair's actions caused big controversy in the NFL league.

Advice from Romanowski: 'Control It a Little Bit Better'

Although Romanowski admired the hit, he told Al-Shaair that, moving forward, he shouldn't stop being aggressive but "control it a little bit better." This advice points out one of the biggest differences between playing aggressively and playing dangerously—a fine line that continues to plague the modern NFL.