Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair address illegal hit

Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair address illegal hit

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair addressed the concussion-inducing, illegal hit the latter delivered the former in Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday.

Lawrence was removed from the game in the second quarter after Al-Shaair launched and hit him in the head and neck area as the quarterback slid to conclude a six-yard rush, which led the Jaguars and Texans’ benches to clear and multiple skirmishes to ensue.

On Sunday evening, Lawrence revealed he was home and improving after entering the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all,” Lawrence said via X/Twitter.

Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and penalized for unnecessary roughness following the strike. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and cornerback Jarrian Jones received personal foul penalties for retaliatory actions amid the brawling; Jones was disqualified for throwing a punch at a player.

Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence, addressed the quarterback’s teammates and condemned discriminating personal attacks he described experiencing in the aftermath of the play in a Monday morning post.

“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!” Al-Shaair wrote.

“I genuinely didn’t see [Lawrence] 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.”

Referee Land Clark and the game’s officiating crew determined additional penalties were not warranted for Al-Shaair’s actions following his ejection, per the game’s pool report.

Al-Shaair removed his helmet and jarred with multiple Jaguars, including offensive lineman Brandon Scherff and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., while being escorted from the field by teammates.

A fan threw a water bottle toward Al-Shaair and hit Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. in the head as they approached Houston’s locker room tunnel, prompting a heated response from Al-Shaair. The fan was reportedly later removed from the game.

The NFL had yet to issue further discipline for Al-Shaair’s tackle or the fighting between the Jaguars and Texans that followed at press time.