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Trevor Lawrence hit: Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair apologizes for late hit on Jaguars QB
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- Trevor Lawrence hit: Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair apologizes for late hit on Jaguars QB
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair apologized Monday morning for the hit that concussed Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the second quarter of Sunday's game.
Al-Shaair hit Lawrence with his forearm late when the quarterback attempted to slide after a scramble on second down. Lawrence laid still for several minutes while the medical staff overlooked him before heading to the locker room via a cart.
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As a result of the foul, Al-Shaair was ejected. A bench-clearing brawl broke out, resulting in cornerback Jarrian Jones ' ejection. Referee Land Clark said Jones threw a punch, resulting in his ejection from the game. Several Jaguars came to Lawrence's defense: tight ends Evan Engram and Brenton Strange , receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and offensive lineman Anton Harrison , among others.
Al-Shaair said in a statement via social media that he will always play the game as hard as he can without the intent to cause anyone harm. The goal, he said, is that the player can get up and play the next play and return to their family unharmed.
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"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 [sic] 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'," Al-Shaair said in part on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"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 l've been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villan [sic], 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."
Jaguars players had Trevor Lawrence 's back, QB says thank you
Lawrence said in a statement Sunday night that he was feeling better and thanked his supporters for reaching out. He left the game shortly after the clock hit 0:00 with his wife Marissa.
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Multiple Jaguars players deemed the hit "dirty" after the game, deeming it no place for a hit like that in football.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson echoed those sentiments without going as far to say directly that the hit was "dirty."
"It's a play that really has no business being in our league. I thought the officials did a great job of doing the best they could to get control of it and all of that," Pederson said in postgame.
Lawrence remains in the concussion protocol and his status for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans remains up in the air.
When asked last night if he is considering shutting Lawrence down for the season, Pederson said it was too early to say.
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"It's 30 minutes after the game, so I haven't thought about that," he said.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trevor Lawrence hit: Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair pens apology illegal play
