Houston’s Al-Shaair apologizes for hitting Jacksonville’s Lawrence that gave him a concussion

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

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

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

“To Trevor I sincerely apologize for what ended up happening,” Al-Shaair wrote. “Before the game we talked and I told you how wonderful it was to see you on the field again and I wished you the best. “I would never like to see any player hurt by a hit I gave them, especially one that was declared ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.'”

Lawrence clenched both fists after the blow, movements consistent with what is known as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes while his teammates came to his defense and harassed Al-Shaair.

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

As Al-Shaair left the field, the fans began to shout at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, leading to 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, hitting Anderson in the helmet. The ventilator was subsequently expelled.

Later in the X post, Al-Shaair said he understood why Jacksonville players came to Lawrence’s defense in the fight after the hit.

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

He then complained about journalists and others for their comments about him after the coup.

“To the rest of the people who have called me every name in the book, from (to) reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to bigots and racist and Islamophobic people, you don’t know, sweetheart . nor my character, which I do not need to prove to any of you,” he wrote. “God knows my intentions and anyone who has been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Sunday that 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 penalized and then fined $11,255 for a late out-of-bounds hit on Titans running back Tony Pollard.

He was fined earlier this year after hitting Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a fight that began after his hard shot at quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline. was not marked.

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

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

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

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AP Sports Writer Mark Long contributed to this report.