Azeez Al-Shaair Bio
Azeez Al-Shaair is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls, where he received First-team All C-USA recognition in 2017. Al-Shaair entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and has since built a reputation as a tenacious inside linebacker. He signed with the Houston Texans in March 2024 on a three-year, $34 million contract and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2025 after leading the team in tackles while anchoring one of the league’s top-ranked defenses.
Early Life and Background
Azeez Al-Shaair was born on August 4, 1997, in Tampa, Florida. As a young child, he moved back and forth between Tampa and Saudi Arabia, where his father worked as an English instructor. After his parents divorced, Al-Shaair stopped living in Saudi Arabia and returned to Florida permanently. He grew up in challenging circumstances, living in Section 8 housing and experiencing homelessness as a sophomore in high school after his home burned down. Despite these obstacles, Al-Shaair remained determined to pursue his education and athletic goals.
Al-Shaair commuted two hours by bus from a motel to attend Hillsborough High School in Tampa, where he played football. As a senior, he recorded 126 tackles with 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He also blocked six field goals and a blocked punt, earning first-team All-County honors. Despite receiving his college commitment to Florida Atlantic University before his senior year ended, Al-Shaair continued going on recruiting visits to help support and feed his family during difficult times.
Path to the NFL
Al-Shaair enrolled at Florida Atlantic University and became a four-year starter at linebacker for the Florida Atlantic Owls from 2015 to 2018. As a freshman, he made an immediate impact by leading the team with 94 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, while adding 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His performance earned him Conference USA All-Freshman team honors and Freshman All-American recognition. He continued his strong play as a sophomore, again leading the Owls with 113 tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown, earning honorable mention All-Conference USA.
During his junior season, Al-Shaair emerged as one of the top linebackers in the country by leading Conference USA with 147 tackles, along with 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. His dominant play secured him first-team All-Conference USA honors. Heading into his senior year, Al-Shaair entered the Butkus Award watchlist, which honors the nation’s top linebacker. However, his final season was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL during practice in October, limiting him to just six games. Despite the injury, his college career demonstrated his ability to be a disruptive and productive force at the linebacker position.
Azeez Al-Shaair Career
San Francisco 49ers (2019–2022)
Al-Shaair went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft but was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019. 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 victory. The 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV that season but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Al-Shaair played in 15 games with four starts as a rookie, recording 18 tackles during the regular season.
In Week 4 of the 2020 season, Al-Shaair recorded his first career interception during a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, picking off a pass from Carson Wentz in the 25-20 loss. Entering the 2021 season as a starting linebacker, he started 13 games and finished second on the team with 102 tackles, along with two sacks, five passes defensed, an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. In 2022, the 49ers placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Al-Shaair in March before placing him on injured reserve with an MCL sprain in October. He was activated in November and continued his role in the defense through the end of the season.
Tennessee Titans (2023)
On March 20, 2023, Al-Shaair signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. He immediately became a key contributor, starting all 17 games at linebacker. Al-Shaair finished the season fifth in the entire NFL with 163 tackles, showcasing his ability to be a high-volume playmaker at the position. His performance with the Titans demonstrated his durability and consistency as an every-down linebacker in the league.
Houston Texans (2024–Present)
On March 15, 2024, Al-Shaair signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Houston Texans, joining the team as a foundational piece of their defense. Following Week 3 of the 2024 season, he was fined $11,000 for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson, though he was not ejected from the game. He received a second fine of $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard. On December 1, 2024, Al-Shaair delivered an illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after Lawrence had slid, resulting in Lawrence being ruled out with a concussion. Al-Shaair was ejected from the game, and a fight erupted between him and several Jaguars players. He publicly apologized via social media the following day. Two days after the game, the NFL suspended Al-Shaair for three games, with the league citing his continued disregard for playing rules and concern for player safety.
In the 2025 season, Al-Shaair bounced back strongly by leading the Houston Texans in tackles while anchoring one of the NFL’s top-ranked defenses. His performance earned him his first career selection to the Pro Bowl, representing the culmination of his journey from undrafted free agent to elite linebacker status. On April 29, 2026, the Texans rewarded his production by signing him to a three-year, $54 million contract extension through the 2029 season, securing him as a core piece of the franchise’s future.
Playing Style and Strengths
Al-Shaair is known for his physicality, football IQ, and ability to diagnose plays quickly. His experience as a four-year starter at Florida Atlantic translated well to the NFL, where he has demonstrated consistent tackle production and the versatility to play both inside and on the edge. He excels in run defense and has shown improvement in pass coverage throughout his career. His leadership qualities have also been evident, as he has become a voice in the locker room and a nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, recognizing his impact both on and off the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Al-Shaair’s career has been marked by several significant moments, including his Super Bowl appearance with the 49ers in 2019, his breakout 163-tackle season with the Titans in 2023, and his Pro Bowl selection with the Texans in 2025. His controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence in December 2024 resulted in a three-game suspension, serving as a notable setback in an otherwise strong season. The $54 million contract extension he signed in April 2026 stands as the largest financial commitment of his career and reflects the Texans’ confidence in his abilities.
Azeez Al-Shaair Career Statistics
Al-Shaair has accumulated impressive statistics across his NFL career, establishing himself as one of the more productive linebackers in the league. His durability has been a key factor, as he has started numerous games across multiple seasons with different teams. Below are his verified career statistics through the 2025 season.
| Season | Team | Total Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | San Francisco 49ers | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | San Francisco 49ers | 46 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | San Francisco 49ers | 102 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | San Francisco 49ers | 45 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Tennessee Titans | 163 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | Houston Texans | 113 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Houston Texans | 163 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Azeez Al-Shaair Family
Family Background and Upbringing
Al-Shaair grew up in Tampa, Florida, in a family that experienced significant financial hardship. His father worked as an English instructor in Saudi Arabia, which required the family to move between Tampa and the Middle Eastern country during his childhood. After his parents divorced, his father remained in Saudi Arabia while Al-Shaair and his mother returned to Florida. The challenges of his upbringing, including periods of homelessness and reliance on Section 8 housing, shaped his resilience and determination. His experience with food insecurity as a teenager, when he continued recruiting visits partly to help feed his family, underscores the adversity he overcame on his path to the NFL.
Personal Life
Al-Shaair is a practicing Muslim and observes Ramadan, including fasting during the holy month even when it coincides with football activities such as Florida Atlantic’s summer practices. He has been deeply involved in community outreach and charitable work, partnering with organizations such as United Way and Covenant House to support underserved populations and homeless youth. Al-Shaair has participated in the Texans Community Huddle Ticket Program, which provides game tickets and opportunities to engage with players to students from disadvantaged communities. His service efforts have included youth development initiatives, recognition of local firefighters, and humanitarian awareness related to Palestine. In recognition of his off-the-field leadership and impact, Al-Shaair was named the Texans’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2025.
In January 2026, following the Texans’ playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Al-Shaair wore eye black with the message “stop the genocide” during a post-game interview with ESPN. He wore similar messaging during the January 18 game against the New England Patriots. The NFL fined him $11,593 for violating the league’s uniform and equipment rules. Al-Shaair is an advocate for Palestinian rights and has used his platform to raise awareness about humanitarian issues affecting the region.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Al-Shaair as a professional football player. After joining the Houston Texans in 2024, he fully acclimated to the defensive system and became the unquestioned leader of the linebacker corps. Al-Shaair led the entire Texans defense in tackles throughout the season, playing a crucial role in helping the team maintain its status as one of the league’s top-ranked units. His ability to diagnose plays, flow to the ball, and make tackles in both run defense and pass coverage made him invaluable to the defensive coordinator’s game plan each week.
The partnership between Al-Shaair and his defensive teammates created a formidable front that gave opposing offenses fits all season. The Texans’ defense ranked among the best in the NFL, and Al-Shaair’s presence in the middle of the field was a significant reason why. His performance earned him recognition from coaches, teammates, and fans alike, ultimately resulting in his first Pro Bowl selection. The honor marked the culmination of years of hard work since going undrafted in 2019 and validated his journey from a special teams player to an elite linebacker.