Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair speaks out after Trevor Lawrence hit

Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair spoke out Monday following his dangerous hit against Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Sunday’s game.

In a lengthy message shared on his Instagram Stories, Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence, stating in part how he “always played the game as hard as I could,” and “never with the intent to harm

anyone.”

“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!” he posted.

“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.”

The play in question occurred in the first half as Al Shaair’s forearm and body connected with a sliding Lawrence.

The quarterback remained on the ground as players from both teams started shoving near Jacksonville’s sideline.

Lawrence was ruled out with a head injury and provided an update hours after the Jaguars’ 23-20 loss.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all,” he shared Sunday night on X.

Al-Shaair, who is in his first season with the Texans following past stops with the Titans and 49ers, added how he “would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them

especially one that’s deemed ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.'”

“To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that,” the 27-year-old linebacker added Monday in his statement.

He concluded the message by calling out critics who “don’t know my heart nor my character.”

“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 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,” Al-Shaair wrote.

“God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart. All praise to Allah.”

In the wake of the incident, which saw Al-Shaair ejected from the game, Giants legend Michael Strahan described the hit as “uncalled for,” while former NFL fullback-turned-analyst Daryl

Johnson said it was “everything you’re not supposed to do.”

“It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said, adding it’s “not representative of who Azeez is.”

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said postgame it’s “too early” to know if Lawrence will be shut down for the final five games of what’s been a disappointing 2-10 season.