Azeez Al-Shaair

Awards and Honors

• 2019: 49ers Community Relations Rookie Player Award

Golden Nuggets

• His name is pronounced uh-ZEEZ, all-SHY-urr.
• Recipient of the N4A Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award, which honors any collegiate student-athlete who has overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics.

Goldmine

• Al-Shaair grew up in a family of nine, with his mother Naadhirah supporting him and his seven siblings. In 2012, struggling to make ends meet, the family moved into their grandmother's home in Tampa, FL. One night, Al-Shaair awoke to the smell of smoke encompassing the house. He was able to wake up and lead the rest of his family to safety, as they watched the house burn down. The family moved from place to place before settling in a long-stay motel. Al-Shaair chose to sleep on the floor, as the family had to fit into one room. He trekked two hours by bus each day to attend school and football practice, often only eating once a day, making sure any leftover food went to his mom and siblings. His work ethic on and off the field grew in that adversity. "My mom always told me, 'What's meant for you is meant for you,'" Al-Shaair said. "All you can do is put forth the effort, and I believe that I've done that."

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Awards and Honors

• 2019: 49ers Community Relations Rookie Player Award

Golden Nuggets

• His name is pronounced uh-ZEEZ, all-SHY-urr.
• Recipient of the N4A Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award, which honors any collegiate student-athlete who has overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics.

Goldmine

• Al-Shaair grew up in a family of nine, with his mother Naadhirah supporting him and his seven siblings. In 2012, struggling to make ends meet, the family moved into their grandmother's home in Tampa, FL. One night, Al-Shaair awoke to the smell of smoke encompassing the house. He was able to wake up and lead the rest of his family to safety, as they watched the house burn down. The family moved from place to place before settling in a long-stay motel. Al-Shaair chose to sleep on the floor, as the family had to fit into one room. He trekked two hours by bus each day to attend school and football practice, often only eating once a day, making sure any leftover food went to his mom and siblings. His work ethic on and off the field grew in that adversity. "My mom always told me, 'What's meant for you is meant for you,'" Al-Shaair said. "All you can do is put forth the effort, and I believe that I've done that."
• While at Florida Atlantic, Al-Shaair decided to move his two younger brothers, Abdul-Lateef and Abdur-Rahmaan, into his Boca Raton apartment. Constantly worrying about whether they were eating or getting into trouble, Al-Shaair began to serve as the father figure of the household. "They were doing bad in school with their grades. I moved them here to put them in a different environment," said Al-Shaair.
• Al-Shaair participated in the 49ers Annual Community Day, helping pack more than 31,000 nutritious meals in collaboration with Feeding Children Anywhere. The meals, along with groceries and backpacks, were distributed to those most in need in East San Jose.
• In November of 2019, the 49ers teamed up with Martha's Kitchen of San Jose to serve Thanksgiving dinner to over 300 people in need. Members of the team served food, bussed tables and refilled beverages. The team also provided toiletries and giveaways to all those in attendance.
• Prior to Week 2's matchup in Cincinnati during the 2019 season, the 49ers spent time in Youngstown, OH , where they participated in the Community Blitz. Al-Shaair and some of his teammates visited Easter Seals Center for Rehabilitation. The players spent time painting and playing games with several seniors at the facility.

Click Here to View Azeez Al-Shaair's Full Bio