40 Facts About Azeez Al-Shaair

Early Life and High School Challenges

Azeez Al-Shaair's journey to the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. From a young age, he faced numerous challenges that shaped his character and determination.

1. Early Life: Born in Tampa, Florida, Al-Shaair's family frequently moved between Tampa and Saudi Arabia due to his father's job as an English instructor.
2. Homelessness: During his sophomore year in high school, Al-Shaair's home burned down, leaving him homeless. He commuted two hours by bus from a motel to Hillsborough High School.
3. High School Football: Despite these hardships, Al-Shaair excelled in football at Hillsborough High School. As a senior, he recorded 126 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He also blocked six field goals and a punt, earning first-team All-County honors.

College Career at Florida Atlantic University

Al-Shaair's college career at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) further showcased his talent and resilience.

4. College Commitment: Al-Shaair committed to play college football at FAU during his senior year of high school. He continued attending recruiting visits to help feed his family.
5. Freshman Year: As a freshman, he was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and was a Freshman All-American with 94 tackles (7.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, two passes broken up, and a forced fumble.
6. Sophomore Year: In his sophomore year, Al-Shaair led the Owls with 113 tackles (12 for loss) and returned an interception for a touchdown. He earned honorable mention All-Conference USA.
7. Junior Year: Al-Shaair led Conference USA with 147 tackles (11 for loss) along with 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. He was named first-team all-conference.
8. Senior Year: Entering his senior year on the Butkus Award watchlist, Al-Shaair tore his ACL in an October practice, ending his final season after six games.

Transition to the NFL

Despite not being drafted, Al-Shaair's determination led him to the NFL, where he signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

9. NFL Draft: Al-Shaair signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.
10. NFL Debut: He made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing exclusively on special teams and making two tackles in the 31-17 road victory.
11. Super Bowl LIV: The 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 31–20. Al-Shaair did not appear in any postseason games.
12. Rookie Season: In his rookie season, Al-Shaair played in 15 games with four starts, making 18 tackles.

Rising Star in the NFL

Al-Shaair's performance in the NFL has been nothing short of impressive, showcasing his skills and resilience.

13. First Interception: In Week 4 of the 2020 season against the Philadelphia Eagles, Al-Shaair recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Carson Wentz during the 25–20 loss.
14. Starting Linebacker: Entering the 2021 season, Al-Shaair became a starting linebacker for the 49ers. He started 13 games, finishing second on the team with 102 tackles, along with two sacks, five passes defensed, an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
15. Restricted Free Agent: On March 15, 2022, the 49ers placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Al-Shaair. He was placed on injured reserve with an MCL sprain on October 3, 2022, and activated on November 12.

New Beginnings with the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans

Al-Shaair's journey continued as he signed with the Tennessee Titans and later the Houston Texans, further solidifying his place in the NFL.

16. Tennessee Titans: On March 20, 2023, Al-Shaair signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. He started all 17 games and finished fifth in the league with 163 tackles.
17. Houston Texans: On March 15, 2024, Al-Shaair signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Houston Texans.

Notable Moments and Physicality

Al-Shaair's physicality and aggressive play style have made him a standout player on the field.

18. Physicality: Known for his physicality, Al-Shaair brought a "Welcome to the NFL" moment to Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during a game against the Houston Texans. Williams scrambled out of bounds and was hit by Al-Shaair, leading to a scrum between the two teams.
19. Punch Incident: During the same game, Al-Shaair threw a punch at Bears' reserve running back Roschon Johnson, who was on the sideline but not active on the play. Fortunately for Al-Shaair, no flag was thrown.
20. Fine: The incident likely resulted in Al-Shaair owing a hefty fine, which he may not mind paying given his performance against the Bears.

Impact on the Houston Texans

Al-Shaair's addition to the Houston Texans has had a significant impact on the team's defense.

21. Impact Offseason Addition: Al-Shaair was one of Houston's many impact offseason additions, setting the tone against a sputtering Chicago offense.
22. Derek Stingley Jr.: Defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. added to the Texans' defense by securing his first interception of 2024 with a snatch of the ball on a deep pass down the right sideline.
23. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans: Head coach DeMeco Ryans drew a major fist pump from the crowd with Stingley's interception, highlighting the Texans' defense taking center stage in Week 2.
24. Field Goal Lead: The Texans seized a 19-10 lead to start the fourth quarter on kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn's third field goal of the night, seeking their first 2–0 start since 2016.

Physical Attributes and Performance Metrics

Al-Shaair's physical attributes and performance metrics highlight his capabilities as a linebacker.

25. Height and Weight: Al-Shaair stands at 6 feet 0.5 inches tall and weighs 234 pounds, with an arm length of 32.3/8 inches and a hand span of 9.5 inches.
26. Bench Press: He recorded 16 reps in the bench press during the NFL Combine.
27. College Tackles: Throughout his college career, Al-Shaair led his team in tackles multiple times, showcasing his consistency and skill on the field.
28. Conference USA Awards: He was named first-team All-Conference USA in his junior year and received honorable mention in his sophomore year.

Career Milestones and Achievements

Al-Shaair's career is marked by numerous milestones and achievements, reflecting his dedication and perseverance.

29. Undrafted Free Agent: Despite not being drafted, Al-Shaair signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, demonstrating his potential and determination.
30. Rookie Performance: In his rookie season, Al-Shaair played in 15 games with four starts, making 18 tackles and setting the stage for his future success.
31. Interception Record: He recorded his first career interception in Week 4 of the 2020 season against the Philadelphia Eagles, marking a significant milestone in his career.
32. Starting Linebacker Role: Entering the 2021 season, Al-Shaair became a starting linebacker for the 49ers, finishing second on the team with 102 tackles and contributing to the team's defensive efforts.
33. Injury and Recovery: In 2022, Al-Shaair was placed on injured reserve with an MCL sprain but was activated on November 12, showing his resilience and ability to recover from injuries.
34. Tennessee Titans Performance: During his time with the Tennessee Titans, Al-Shaair started all 17 games and finished fifth in the league with 163 tackles, solidifying his position as a top linebacker.
35. Houston Texans Contract: On March 15, 2024, Al-Shaair signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Houston Texans, marking a significant financial commitment to his career.

Leadership and Community Involvement

Beyond his on-field performance, Al-Shaair has shown leadership and a commitment to his community.

36. Physicality and Aggression: Known for his physicality, Al-Shaair's actions on the field often reflect his aggressive and competitive nature, as seen in the punch incident against Roschon Johnson.
37. Defensive Impact: Al-Shaair's defensive contributions extend beyond his tackling numbers. He has consistently shown the ability to disrupt opposing offenses and make game-changing plays.
38. Team Leadership: As a leader on the field, Al-Shaair has demonstrated the ability to inspire his teammates and contribute to the team's overall success, both defensively and as a role model.
39. Community Involvement: Beyond his football career, Al-Shaair has been involved in various community initiatives, reflecting his commitment to giving back and making a positive impact off the field.
40. Career Milestones: Throughout his career, Al-Shaair has achieved numerous milestones, from being named first-team All-Conference USA to recording his first career interception and signing significant contracts with multiple teams. These achievements underscore his dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Azeez Al-Shaair: A Story of Resilience and Impact

Azeez Al-Shaair's journey from homelessness to NFL stardom is nothing short of inspiring. Overcoming immense challenges, he excelled in high school football, shined at Florida Atlantic University, and made a name for himself in the NFL. His physicality and defensive prowess have made him a standout linebacker, first with the San Francisco 49ers, then the Tennessee Titans, and now with the Houston Texans. Beyond his on-field achievements, Al-Shaair's commitment to community involvement highlights his character and dedication to giving back. His story is a testament to resilience, determination, and hard work. From recording his first career interception to signing significant contracts, Al-Shaair's milestones reflect his unwavering perseverance. As he continues to make an impact both on and off the field, Azeez Al-Shaair remains a role model and a beacon of hope for many.