Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair breaks silence after landing nasty hit on Trevor Lawrence
All anyone could talk about after Week 13's slate of games on Sunday was how Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair landed arguably one of the nastiest hits on a quarterback in recent history. Late in the first half, as Trevor Lawrence was looking to speed his way past the Texans on second-and-7 near midfield, he saw the Texans' LB approach.
Lawrence promptly slid near the line of gain, but Al-Shaair had already chosen to dive headfirst into him, making contact with the Jaguars QB's upper body. A flag was thrown instantly, and Lawrence appeared to exhibit the "fencing posture," indicating he had suffered blunt trauma to the head.
Controversy erupted at the EverBank Stadium after the hit, which had also sparked a brawl. Azeez Al-Shaair was ejected after the game, but penned a long note on X regarding the incident on Monday morning:
“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that. My goal is to hit you as hard as I can, then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play. And when the game is over, go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal, it’s just competition!"
Lawrence had returned to the field after missing time for a shoulder injury incurred in early November during the Jaguars' 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He had returned to play against the Texans on Sunday.
In his note, Azeez Al-Shaair further wrote:
“I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. It all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor, I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. Before the game, we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well.
"I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them, especially one that’s deemed 'later' or 'unnecessary.'”
NFL yet to comment on potential suspension for Azeez Al-Shaair
After the brawl, Al-Shaair and Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones were ejected from the game. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram was also handed a penalty for unnecessary roughness after he put his hands on Al-Shaair.
The NFL world collectively called for Azeez Al-Shaair to be suspended, given the circumstances of the hit. However, as of the time of writing, the NFL has remained tight-lipped on what the course of action will be.
For his part, Texans QB CJ Stroud acknowledged that Al-Shaair had to be more careful going into these tackles. In a postgame interview from the field, Stroud attested to his teammate's character, saying that it wasn't Al-Shaair's intent to grievously harm Lawrence.
Lawrence himself penned a post on social media on Sunday night, writing:
"Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all."
The quarterback was ruled out with a concussion after the hit and taken to the locker room. He was later seen with his wife, Marissa, leaving the stadium.