JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair issued an apology Monday for his hard hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence Sunday.
Al-Shaair posted on X Monday morning, saying he never intended to harm anyone by his actions.
"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," Al-Shaair said in an X post on his page. "I genuinely didn't see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor, I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening."
Al-Shaair's brutal hit on Lawrence happened at the 4:14 mark in the 2nd quarter when the Jaguars quarterback escaped the pocket to his left before sliding at the first down line.
The impact sent shockwaves through the crowd at EverBank Stadium, as players from both teams ended up in a skirmish, with tight end Evan Engram being the first player on the Jags to come to Lawrence's defense.
After the game, he told First Coast News what Al-Shaair did "was just a dirty play."
Al-Shaair was ejected for unnecessary roughness on the play, while Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones was ejected for throwing a punch during the scuffle between the teams. The two, along with Engram, had unsportsmanlike conduct penalties called on them.
Lawrence said Sunday on X following the team's loss that he's "feeling better."
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 escorted him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle that hit Anderson in the helmet. The fan was later ejected.
The Texans wound up winning the game, 23-20.
Also on Monday, NFL Insider Adam Schefter said on X it is "anticipated" that Al-Shaair will be suspended for the hit.
"The only question is for how long," Schefter said in an X post on his page.
Al-Shaair's full apology is below:
"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! We both are trying to do the same thing which is provide for our families! I genuinely didn't see him sliding until it was too late. And 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 'late' or 'unnecessary.' To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that. To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don't know my heart nor my character which I don't need to prove to any of you. God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart."
