PFWA Pool Reporter Mark Long Interview with Referee Land Clark
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Question: Why specifically was Azeez Al-Shaair disqualified?
Clark: “An illegal hit on the quarterback, unnecessary, to the neck and head area.”
Question: What led to Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, No. 23, being ejected along with Al-Shaair?
Clark: “He came off the bench and threw a punch.”
Question: Did he throw a punch at a player or an official?
Clark: “A player.”
Question: Why weren’t any Houston players ejected for leaving the sideline bench area and crossing the field?
Clark: “There was no action observed that rose to the level of disqualifying. They were mostly restraining their own players.”
Question: Were any warnings issued to both teams or either team for any further retaliatory behavior?
Clark: “We don’t issue warnings.”
Question: Why was Jaguars tight end Evan Engram No. 17 penalized for unnecessary roughness?
Clark: “The actions didn’t warrant a disqualification, but it was unnecessary roughness.”
Question: When Al-Shaair was leaving the field was there any thought about a second flag being thrown? Why wasn’t a second flag thrown while he was trying to leave the field and he kind of turned back towards the Jags’ sideline?
Clark: “He was already disqualified when he was leaving the field. We did not consider it.”
Question: Could there have been a flag thrown there or no?
Clark: “That’s a hypothetical that I can’t answer. We didn’t think it warranted it.”
