Azeez Al-Shaair Releases Statement On His Hit On Trevor Lawrence
12/02/2024 09:41 AM
After 12+ hours of backlash for his "dirty" hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has decided to present his side of the story.
Taking to social media on Monday morning, Al-Shaair shared a lengthy statement from his Notes tab to X. Saying that he never intended to hurt Lawrence and that "it's just competition."
"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," the 27-year-old LB began. "My goal is to hit you as hard as I can and they 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!"
"I genuinely didn't see him sliding until it was too late," Al-Shaair continued. "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.'"
Al-Shaair was thrown out of the game for his second quarter hit on Lawrence and some have even called for him to be suspended for the rest of the season.
Lawrence was carted off the field with what was quickly diagnosed as a concussion and he'll remain in the league's protocol until further notice.
A fight broke out shortly after the play with almost the entirety of the Jaguars sideline coming to the QB's defense. Many of them ripping Al-Shaair in the media for his "dumb" and dangerous" decision.
"I was excited for Trevor to get back out there and start for our team and lead our football team this week," head coach Doug Pederson said. "It's unfortunate. 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."
This is the second reported concussion of Lawrence's NFL career. The first one came in a Week 15 loss to Baltimore last year.
Related: NFL Fans Want 'Dirty' Player Suspended For Rest Of Season
