Walter Payton NFL Man of 12 months nominee lists Kyle Juszczyk as key mentor
Earlier than Azeez Al-Shaair grew to become the star he’s right now, he was an undrafted rookie free agent with the 49ers.
As he’s blossomed into one of many NFL’s prime linebackers, Al-Shaair mentioned on the “Inexperienced Mild Podcast,” hosted by former two-time Tremendous Bowl champion Chris Lengthy, that 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk performed a giant half in his growth.
“Kyle Juszczyk is anyone who I owe a lot extra to,” Al-Shaair mentioned. “I keep in mind in staff conferences we sat subsequent to one another, and it’s like, an undrafted rookie linebacker.
“He didn’t have to speak to me or say something to me, however he poured into me each single probability he acquired, daily, checking on me, speaking to me, making an attempt to assist me.”
Al-Shaair, a 2025 Walter Payton Man of the 12 months nominee, mentioned Juszczyk means the world to him.
Not too long ago, Al-Shaair was listed as No. 92 of the NFL’s prime 100 gamers from final season after tallying over 100 tackles, with one pressured fumble — incomes him a three-year, $54 million contract extension with the Texans this previous offseason.
When Al-Shaair discovered he made the lower, marking him as one of many NFL’s finest, Juszczyk appeared on the display screen and started to speak about what makes his former teammate so particular.
“I’ve a lot respect for Azeez and the way he performs the sport,” Juszczyk mentioned on the starting of the video. “He performs it so quick, so bodily, so aggressively. I really feel like that’s the explanation why they’ve been so profitable this 12 months is due to his management and the best way he performs soccer.”
Al-Shaair mentioned seeing his former mentor pop up on the display screen was a surreal second for him due to how a lot perception Juszczyk poured into him.
Juszczyk and Al-Shaair had been teammates for 4 years with the 49ers till Al-Shaair departed forward of the 2023 season and signed a one-year take care of the Titans, the place he completed as a top-five chief in tackles, tallying 163.
Juszczyk has emerged as one of the crucial revered gamers within the 49ers’ locker room. He’s been chosen as a staff captain twice for the 49ers during the last two seasons.
Whereas the 49ers fullback has been a pivotal a part of retaining the staff’s chemistry intact, he’s additionally emerged as top-of-the-line at his place. Juszczyk has been a 10-time Professional Bowl choice and is coming off three consecutive seasons as a first-team All-Professional.
The 49ers launched Juszczyk over the offseason however quickly introduced him again on a two-year, $8 million deal in March.
