Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Houston's Al-Shaair Apologizes for Hit on Jacksonville's Lawrence That Led to Concussion
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 1 month ago on
December 2, 2024

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence received a concussion after a violent hit from Al-Shaair. (AP/John Raoux)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

HOUSTON — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair took to X on Monday morning to apologize to Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence after his violent blow to the quarterback’s facemask led to him being carted off the field with a concussion.

Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.

Al-Shaair Expresses Regret for Late Hit

In the long post, Al-Shaair, who was ejected for the hit, first said he didn’t see Lawrence sliding until “it was too late” and that it happened “in the blink of an eye” before saying he was sorry for the hit.

“To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening,” Al-Shaair wrote. “Before the game we spoke and I told you how great it was 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 was ruled ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.'”

Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair.

Al-Shaair was ejected for “an illegal hit on the quarterback, unnecessary, to the neck and head area,” referee Land Clark said in a pool report Sunday. Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones also was ejected for throwing a punch during the melee.

Altercation Escalates Following Hit

As Al-Shaair was leaving the field, fans started screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting another altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson in the helmet. The fan was later ejected.

Later in the post on X, Al-Shaair said he understood why Jacksonville’s players came to the defense of Lawrence in the brawl following the hit.

“I can understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that,” Al-Shaair wrote.

Then he complained about reporters and others for their commentary about him in the wake of the hit.

“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, you don’t know heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you,” he wrote. “God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”

Coaches and League React to Incident

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Sunday it was a play that “really has no business being in our league,” and Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said “that’s not what we’re coaching.”

Last week, Al-Shaair was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard.

He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline wasn’t flagged.

Al-Shaair, a sixth-year pro, will certainly receive a fine for the hit on Lawrence and could also be suspended.

At the beginning of his post on X, Al-Shaair said he’s always played the game hard and that he would never intentionally try to harm anyone.

“My goal is to hit you as hard as I can and then pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play,” he wrote. “And when the game is over go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal, it’s just competition! We both are trying to do the same thing which is provide for our families!”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Higher Social Security Payments Coming for Millions of Americans

DON'T MISS

With a Nod to Her Mentor Shirley Chisholm, Rep. Barbara Lee Exits Congress as a Renegade Herself

DON'T MISS

EV Demand Leads Automakers to Strong 2024 Finish

DON'T MISS

Why 2025 Will Be a Pivotal Year for Mayor Karen Bass and LA

DON'T MISS

From Georgia to Washington, Memorials Trace Jimmy Carter’s Life

DON'T MISS

Is Your Car Spying on You? What It Means That Tesla Shared Data in Las Vegas Explosion

DON'T MISS

Can California Keep ICE Away from Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Announces Algorithm Change to Reduce Negativity on X

DON'T MISS

Indie Filmmaker Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza’s Husband, Found Dead at Los Angeles Residence

DON'T MISS

Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill at Least 21, Hospital Workers Say

UP NEXT

With a Nod to Her Mentor Shirley Chisholm, Rep. Barbara Lee Exits Congress as a Renegade Herself

UP NEXT

EV Demand Leads Automakers to Strong 2024 Finish

UP NEXT

Why 2025 Will Be a Pivotal Year for Mayor Karen Bass and LA

UP NEXT

From Georgia to Washington, Memorials Trace Jimmy Carter’s Life

UP NEXT

Is Your Car Spying on You? What It Means That Tesla Shared Data in Las Vegas Explosion

UP NEXT

Can California Keep ICE Away from Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom

UP NEXT

Elon Musk Announces Algorithm Change to Reduce Negativity on X

UP NEXT

Indie Filmmaker Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza’s Husband, Found Dead at Los Angeles Residence

UP NEXT

Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill at Least 21, Hospital Workers Say

UP NEXT

Newsom Executive Order Targets Ultra-Processed Foods, Synthetic Dyes

Why 2025 Will Be a Pivotal Year for Mayor Karen Bass and LA

6 hours ago

From Georgia to Washington, Memorials Trace Jimmy Carter’s Life

18 hours ago

Is Your Car Spying on You? What It Means That Tesla Shared Data in Las Vegas Explosion

18 hours ago

Can California Keep ICE Away from Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom

19 hours ago

Elon Musk Announces Algorithm Change to Reduce Negativity on X

19 hours ago

Indie Filmmaker Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza’s Husband, Found Dead at Los Angeles Residence

22 hours ago

Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill at Least 21, Hospital Workers Say

22 hours ago

Newsom Executive Order Targets Ultra-Processed Foods, Synthetic Dyes

1 day ago

Net Neutrality Rules Struck Down by Appeals Court

1 day ago

Taiwan Says China Is Redoubling Efforts to Undermine Democracy With Disinformation

1 day ago

Higher Social Security Payments Coming for Millions of Americans

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Sunday plans to sign into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former...

27 minutes ago

Social Security Headquarters
27 minutes ago

Higher Social Security Payments Coming for Millions of Americans

5 hours ago

With a Nod to Her Mentor Shirley Chisholm, Rep. Barbara Lee Exits Congress as a Renegade Herself

5 hours ago

EV Demand Leads Automakers to Strong 2024 Finish

6 hours ago

Why 2025 Will Be a Pivotal Year for Mayor Karen Bass and LA

18 hours ago

From Georgia to Washington, Memorials Trace Jimmy Carter’s Life

18 hours ago

Is Your Car Spying on You? What It Means That Tesla Shared Data in Las Vegas Explosion

19 hours ago

Can California Keep ICE Away from Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom

Elon Musk and X
19 hours ago

Elon Musk Announces Algorithm Change to Reduce Negativity on X

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend