(Source : AP News) Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair issued a public apology on Monday after his violent hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence left him with a concussion during Sunday’s game. Al-Shaair, who was ejected for the blow, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express regret and clarify that the hit was unintentional.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of the Texans’ 23-20 win. Lawrence, who had just returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained shoulder, scrambled left on a second-and-7 play. As he began to slide, Al-Shaair raised his forearm and delivered a forceful blow to Lawrence’s facemask, sending the quarterback to the ground.
Al-Shaair admitted that he didn’t see Lawrence’s slide until it was too late, and the collision happened “in the blink of an eye.” In his message, Al-Shaair expressed sincere remorse for the incident, saying, “To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them, especially one that was ruled ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.’”
Following the hit, Lawrence was visibly shaken and clutched both fists — a response often associated with brain injuries — as teammates rushed to his side. He was carted off the field and later diagnosed with a concussion.
Before the game, Al-Shaair and Lawrence had exchanged pleasantries, with Al-Shaair wishing Lawrence well after his injury recovery. Despite the tough hit, the Texans linebacker emphasized that he never intended to cause harm.
The apology comes after a weekend filled with controversy, as fans and analysts debated the legality and safety of the hit. However, Al-Shaair’s message reflects his acknowledgment of the dangerous nature of the play and his respect for Lawrence’s well-being.
