HOUSTON (AP) — Following his brutal punch to Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence’s facemask, which resulted in his being carried off the field with a concussion, Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair took to X on Monday morning to apologize to the quarterback.
In the second quarter of Houston’s 23–20 victory on Sunday, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play, returning to the starting lineup after missing two games due to a sprained left shoulder. Before Al-Shaair lifted his forearm and slammed into the helpless quarterback, he started a slide.
Al-Shaair, who was dismissed for the hit, apologized for the strike after initially claiming that he didn’t see Lawrence sliding until it was too late and that it happened in the blink of an eye in the lengthy post.
To Trevor Al-Shaair wrote, “I truly apologize to you for what ultimately transpired.” We chatted before the game, and I wished you luck and said it was wonderful to see you back on the field. Any player getting wounded as a result of a hit I delivered, especially if it was deemed late or needless, is something I would never want to witness.
Following the impact, Lawrence clenched both fists in a manner known as the fencing reaction, which is frequently seen following traumatic brain injury. As teammates surrounded Al-Shaair in an attempt to defend him, he lay on the ground for a number of minutes.
According to referee Land Clark’s pool report on Sunday, Al-Shaair was sent off for an unlawful and needless blow on the quarterback’s neck and head. Jarrian Jones, a rookie cornerback for the Jaguars, was also sent off for punching someone during the altercation.
Fans began yelling at Al-Shaair as he was leaving the field. Brandon Scherff, a senior guard for the Jaguars, jumped in, which led to another incident with Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair was being led off the field by Texans teammate Will Anderson when a spectator hurled a water bottle at Anderson, striking Anderson in the helmet. Later, the fan was expelled.
Al-Shaair stated later in the X post that he could see why Jacksonville’s players stuck up for Lawrence during the altercation after the hit.
In a circumstance like that, I can appreciate you standing by him and protecting him. Al-Shaair composed.
Following the hit, he then voiced his displeasure with reporters and others for their remarks about him.
I don’t need to prove my integrity or my heart to any of you, he wrote, adding, “To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book, from (to) reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people.” Anyone who has ever been a friend or teammate of mine knows my heart, and God is aware of my intentions.
Houston coach DeMeco Ryans stated it’s not what we’re coaching, while Jaguars coach Doug Pederson stated on Sunday that the play truly had no business being in our league.
Following a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard last week, Al-Shaair received a flag and a $11,255 punishment.
In Week 2, he hit Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline, earning him a fine earlier this year. When his strong shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline went unnoticed, it sparked a brawl.
The sixth-year pro Al-Shaair will undoubtedly be fined and may even be suspended for the hit on Lawrence.
Al-Shaair stated at the start of his X post that he has always played the game hard and that he would never purposefully aim to hurt anyone.
“I hope you’re still able to get up and play the next play after I hit you as hard as I can,” he wrote. And since it’s only competition and not personal, you can return home to your family unhurt after the game! We are both attempting to support our families, which is the same goal!
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This report was written by Mark Long, an AP Sports Writer.
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