Azeez Al-Shaair issues a sincere apology to Trevor Lawrence over his controversial hit which led to a concussion
Texans' linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair hit Trevor Lawrence headfirst as the QB was sliding and knocked him out of the game.
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Trevor Lawrence and Azeez Al-Shaair (Image Credits: L-via IMAGO, R-via Sports Illustrated)
The Jacksonville Jaguars faced a huge setback early on in the team’s Week 13 matchup against the Houston Texans. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence took a direct hit to his head as he slid at the first down line after a 6-yard run. He had to be carted off the field and was confirmed to have suffered a concussion. It was Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair who delivered the hit and was subsequently ejected.
His hit infuriated fans and analysts who called for the league to suspend and fine him for this dirty hit. Azeez Al-Shaair continued to trash-talk the fans as he departed the field.
In light of the response from fans who have dubbed him to be a ‘dirty’ player given his track record, the linebacker has come out and issued an apology for his actions. In a post on X, Al-Shaair expressed regret over how things went down.
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!
Azeez Al-Shaair wrote on X
The linebacker claimed that he is a competitor at heart, and when he steps onto the field, his only aim is to do his job to the best of his ability.
The NFL is yet to determine if Azeez Al-Shaair deserves to be penalized
Although he aims to hit the offense the hardest he can, it does not mean that he wants to hurt them. At the end of the day, he hopes that they will get back up, continue to play, and go home to their families healthy.
The reason Azeez Al-Shaair has been criticized is because he hit Lawrence despite the quarterback making it evident that he was going to slide.
He clarified the thoughts that were running through his head as the play unfurled.
I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. 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’.
Azeez Al-Shaair claimed
The linebacker admitted that he had checked in with Trevor Lawrence before the game began and wished him well. He never hoped to hit the quarterback in that vulnerable position but before he could hold back, it was already too late.
Al-Shaair then addressed Lawrence’s teammates who came after him for the hit. Evan Engram was one of the first players to charge at him and push him onto the field. A fight then broke out which led both teams to go at one another before the referees stepped in and broke things off.
To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that.
Azeez Al-Shaair added
If the roles were reversed, then the linebacker would have defended his teammates with the same level of physicality.
All Praise to Allah?? pic.twitter.com/pEbCRAg8fF
— Azeez Al-shaair (@A_train2_) December 2, 2024
There is no debating if it was a dirty hit or not because the linebacker shouldn’t have done that. The fans showered him with trash from the stands as he left the field, but things took a turn for the worse online. Fans got personal and resorted to racism and targeted his religious beliefs while criticizing him, something that was extremely wrong.
Azeez Al-Shaair made it clear that he has been called a lot of names and that they no longer bother him because, ultimately, he does not need to prove his character or intent to anybody but God. It was good that he issued an apology but he still risks being fined by the NFL. The league is yet to issue a statement on the incident and is likely assessing what action to take.
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Sumedh Joshi
(2235 Articles Published)