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Trevor Lawrence hit: Fan reaction vehement online, in person, about late hit on Jaguars QB
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- Trevor Lawrence hit: Fan reaction vehement online, in person, about late hit on Jaguars QB
Social media reaction to the targeting hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in the second quarter of Sunday's game at EverBank Stadium was swift and highly critical of the blow Al-Shaair delivered at the end of a 6-yard scramble by Lawrence.
Al-Shaair and Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected after a brawl ensued with Lawrence still lying on the ground. Jaguars players reacted angrily to the hit, and Jones and Evan Engram also drew 15-year penalties, which offset the flag on Al-Shaair.
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Lawrence was later ruled out with a concussion, his second in two years.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans points to the Jacksonville Jaguars bench after a fight and being ejected during the second quarter of a game at EverBank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Al-Shaair and Jones were ejected. It took officials and coaches more than 10 minutes to clear the field and restore order before play began. The Jaguars eventually got a field goal from Cam Little to cut the score to 6-3 in favor of the Texans.
As Al-Shaair was being escorted off the field, one of his teammates, Will Anderson, was hit on the head by some kind of bottle containing liquid that came from the stands. It was one of several bottles thrown in the direction of the players walking along the back of the end zone to reach the tunnel.
Start with this post by a former Houston Texans beat writer, John McClain, who went out on a limb about the severity of the hit by Al-Shaair hit, in which the six-year veteran from FAU hit Lawrence with his left forearm after Lawrence began his slide.
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"I've been covering the NFL for 48 years and I can't remember a cheap shot worse than what Al-Shaair did to Lawrence," McClain posted on X.
In addition to McClain, former NFL safety Ryan Clark weighed in and called the shot for what it was, which were strong words for an old-school player.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has been on the receiving end of a few dirty hits and also was highly critical.
Other observers pointed out the fact that while Al-Shaair was ejected, the Texans essentially got a free pass for knocking Lawrence out of the game with the off-setting penalties. Evan Engram and Jarian Jones were hit with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and Jones was ejected.
Jaguars fans were naturally incensed about losing their quarterback, especially after he returned after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury. And some responded by throwing bottles at Al-Shaair was he was being led off the field by teammate Will Anderson.
But even Texans fans were disturbed about the hit.
One fan said longer suspensions should be in order for hits such as the one Lawrence sustained.
Veteran NFL executive Scott Pioli advocated longer suspensions for hits like Al-Shaair's tackle.
Lawrence's movements after the hit concerned one doctor who was watching.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trevor Lawrence hit: NFL fans explode after dirty hit KO's Jaguars QB
