Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has spoken out after his nasty hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence led to a massive on-field scuffle.
Al-Shaair, 27, illegally hit Lawrence, 25, while the Jaguars star was sliding to the ground during the second quarter of the game between the teams on Sunday, December 1.
“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could,” Al-Shaair posted via Instagram Story. “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.”
He continued, “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!”
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Lawrence was carted off the field and diagnosed with a concussion. Al-Shaair was ejected for the brutal collision, which caused a fight between the two squads in the immediate aftermath.
“I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late,” Al-Shaair wrote. “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 how it was great to see how back out on the field and wished you well.”
Lawrence previously sustained a shoulder injury during the Jaguars’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 3. The game against the Texans on Sunday marked Lawrence’s return to the lineup after missing the team’s previous two games.
Al-Shaair said he “can definitely understand” why Lawrence’s teammates stood up for him the way they did, but also pushed back against some of the alleged vitriolic backlash he has received after the incident.
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“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,” wrote Al-Shaair, who is a practicing Muslim, “you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t to prove to any of you.”
He added, “God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”
An appreciative Lawrence issued a statement on Sunday night, giving an update on his condition.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me,” he wrote via X. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all
.”
