Sophie Cunningham.Sophie Cunningham (Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)
If Sophie Cunningham’s actions against Jacy Sheldon in last night’s heated Indiana-Connecticut game didn’t put opposing players on notice, they might want to do a little more research on her background.

Things got tense and physical during the Fever-Sun game last night, with Cunningham, Sheldon and Lindsay Allen all getting ejected, not to mention the flagrant and technical fouls issued by the officials.

The tension picked up in the third quarter when Caitlin Clark was poked in the eye by Sheldon while the latter was on defense. A scuffle ensued, with Marina Mabrey coming out of nowhere and shoving Clark from behind:

Clearly upset with that foul Sheldon committed against Clark, Sophie Cunningham retaliated by putting Sheldon in a chokehold while she drove to the basket:

 

If Cunningham’s actions there aren’t enough to scare off opposing defenders, then consider this: As noted by Fox Sports radio betting analyst Jared Smith, Cunningham has a black belt in Taekwondo that she obtained at the age of six.

Teams have been trying to rile up Caitlin Clark by getting physical on defense since she entered the league last year. But with Sophie Cunningham now at her side, Clark has an enforcer to step in and back her up when necessary.

Sophie Cunningham Is Exactly What Indiana Needs

Sophie Cunningham Speaks Out Following EjectionSophie Cunningham (Credit: Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
After six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, Cunningham was sent to Indiana in a four-team trade involving the Sun and Dallas Wings.

Cunningham is currently averaging 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game over six contests with the Fever. Her stats may not stand out right now, but Cunningham’s toughness and willingness to defend Clark when necessary will help the young star tremendously going forward.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’