December 2nd 2024.
Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair took to social media on Monday morning to issue a heartfelt apology to Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Al-Shaair's violent hit to Lawrence's facemask during Sunday's game resulted in the young quarterback being carted off the field with a concussion.
After missing two games due to a shoulder injury, Lawrence was back in the starting lineup and scrambled left on a play in the second quarter. As he slid to the ground, Al-Shaair raised his forearm and delivered a blow to the defenseless quarterback.
In a lengthy post on social media, Al-Shaair expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he did not see Lawrence sliding until it was too late and the hit happened in the blink of an eye. He also mentioned that he had spoken to Lawrence before the game and wished him well, never intending to cause harm to any player on the field.
Lawrence clenched his fists and exhibited signs of a traumatic brain injury, commonly known as the "fencing response," as he lay on the ground for several minutes. His teammates immediately rushed to his defense and confronted Al-Shaair, resulting in both Al-Shaair and Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones being ejected from the game.
As Al-Shaair was leaving the field, he was met with angry fans who were shouting at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff even got involved in the altercation, prompting another scuffle. Al-Shaair's teammate, Will Anderson, intervened and helped escort him off the field. However, a fan threw a water bottle, hitting Anderson in the helmet and ultimately getting ejected from the game.
In his social media post, Al-Shaair acknowledged why the Jaguars players defended Lawrence during the brawl following the hit. He then went on to express his frustration with the media and others who have criticized him for the hit, stating that they do not know his heart or character and that his intentions were never to harm anyone.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson deemed the hit as unacceptable and not fitting for the league, while Houston coach DeMeco Ryans stated that it goes against their coaching principles. This is not the first time Al-Shaair has been penalized for a hit, as he was previously fined for a late hit on Titans running back Tony Pollard and for punching Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline.
The veteran linebacker understands that he will most likely face a fine and potential suspension for his actions. However, he wants it to be known that he has always played the game with intensity and never with the intention to harm anyone. He sees football as a competition and his goal is to hit his opponents as hard as he can, while still hoping they can continue playing without any injuries.
In the end, Al-Shaair expressed that he and Lawrence have the same goal, which is to provide for their families, and he hopes for a speedy recovery for the young quarterback.
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