Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has posted a note of apology on X, less than 24 hours after he was ejected for an illegal and violent hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Al-Shaair began by explaining his mentality when he plays.
The hit Al-Shaair laid on Lawrence did not leave the QB unharmed. In the second quarter of Sunday’s Texans-Jags game, with the Texans holding a 6-0 lead, Lawrence scrambled on second-and-7 near midfield and slid near the line of gain. As he was sliding, Al-Shaair came in, leading with his forearm, and made contact with Lawrence’s helmet. He was sprawled out on the field as the flags flew, and Al-Shaair’s first instinct was to protest the flags as members of both teams began to tussle after the hit. Lawrence was eventually carted off with a head injury, and Al-Shaair was ejected soon after.
In his post on X, Al-Shaair said he didn’t see Lawrence sliding until he was already in motion. He then apologized to Lawrence.
Al-Shaair also said he didn’t hold anything against the Jaguars players who defended their QB after the hit. But he didn’t extend that forgiveness to those who have made him a “villain.”
Texans head coach Demeco Ryans said after the game that Al-Shaair’s hit isn’t what they’re coaching in Houston, and those actions don’t represent who Al-Shaair is as a person or player.
A suspension is expected to be handed down to Al-Shaair sometime this week, though it’s unknown if it will be one game or a more lengthy suspension that reflects the seriousness of what he did.