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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair became public enemy number one on Sunday after what many NFL fans and media members called a dirty hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence would end up knocked out cold by the hit by Al-Shaair that seemed completely unnecessary.
Monday morning, Azeez Al-Shaair, who did not speak to the media following his ejection from the game, shared a message on social media trying to explain what happened and apologizing to Lawrence for the hit.
“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could,” Al-Shaair wrote in his statement. “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!
“I genuinely didn’t see him 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 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 then added, “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,” Al-Shaair continued. “God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”
Many fans did not appear to accept the apology from Azeez Al-Shaair, citing previous incidents of what they consider to be “dirty” plays.
Azeez Al-Shaair try not to be a dirty player challenge (impossible) pic.twitter.com/PI30RkpMr7
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 2, 2024
Trevor Lawrence also issued his own statement on social media Sunday night.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me,” the Jaguars quarterback wrote. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.”