On Monday, Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair apologized for his brutal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
In the second quarter of the Texans' 23-20 victory on Sunday, Lawrence scrambled and slid for six yards on 2nd-and-7 before Al-Shaair blasted him, causing a skirmish between both teams. After officials stopped the brawl, Al-Shaair was ejected, and Jacksonville confirmed that Lawrence suffered a concussion.
"It's everything you're not supposed to do. Everything...There's an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 1, 2024
Daryl Johnston on Azeez Al-Shaair.pic.twitter.com/KO9i2XbuIx
"I genuinely didn't see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye," Al-Shaair said in a statement on his X account. "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 'late' or 'unnecessary.'"
All Praise to Allah pic.twitter.com/pEbCRAg8fF
— Azeez Al-shaair (@A_train2_) December 2, 2024
The apology may not change sentiments about Al-Shaair's hit. Per ESPN's Michael DiRocco, Jaguars tight end Evan Engram said it was "dirty."
"It's not what we're coaching," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said in a postgame news conference. "I didn't want to see the melee and all of the aftermath. It's not what we're about. It's not representative of us. I'll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we'll move forward from it."
In a Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears, Al-Shaair punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson in a sideline fight. The league fined him $11,817 for hitting Johnson.
Following his second incident, anticipate the NFL disciplining him again. Per The Washington Post's Mark Maske, the league is reviewing the hit, which could result in a suspension or fine.
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