Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair took to social media Monday morning to apologize to Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence after his violent hit to the quarterback’s facemask took him off the sector with a concussion.
Back as a starter after lacking two video games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play within the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He started a slide earlier than Al-Shaair raised his forearm and lunged on the defenseless quarterback.
In the prolonged put up, Al-Shaair, who was despatched off for the hit, first stated he did not see Lawrence slip till “it was too late” and that it occurred “within the blink of a watch” earlier than apologizing for the hit.
“To Trevor I sincerely apologize for what occurred,” Al-Shaair wrote. “Before the match we talked and I instructed you ways good it was to see you again on the pitch and I wanted you all one of the best. I’d by no means wish to see any participant injured due to a blow I dealt him, particularly one which was adjudicated ‘late’ or ‘pointless’.”
Lawrence clenched each fists after the blow — actions in keeping with what known as the “fencing response,” which may be frequent after a traumatic mind harm. He remained on the bottom for a number of minutes as teammates got here to his protection and attacked Al-Shaair.
Al-Shaair was ejected for “an unlawful, pointless hit to the quarterback’s neck and head,” referee Land Clark stated in a pool report Sunday. Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones was additionally ejected for throwing a punch in the course of the melee.
As Al-Shaair left the pitch, followers began shouting at him. Veteran Jaguars guard Brandon Scherff joined in, leading to one other altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the sector when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson within the helmet. The fan was subsequently ejected.
(Read extra: The Jaguars aren’t certain if QB Trevor Lawrence will likely be shut down after the violent hit)
Later within the put up, Al-Shaair stated he understood why Jacksonville gamers got here to Lawrence’s protection within the brawl that adopted the hit.
“I can perceive that you simply had his again and defended him in such a scenario,” Al-Shaair wrote.
He then complained about reporters and others for his or her feedback about him following the killing.
“To the remainder of the folks I used to be referred to as each single title within the ebook, from (the) journalists with their palms prepared for a narrative to search out their villain, to the followers and the racist and Islamophobic folks, you do not know the guts or the my character, which I need not show to any of you,” he wrote. “God is aware of my intentions and anybody who has ever been my teammate or good friend is aware of my coronary heart.”
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson stated Sunday it was a play that “actually has nothing to do with our championship,” and Houston coach DeMeco Ryans stated “that is not what we’re teaching.”
Last week, Al-Shaair was reported and subsequently fined $11,255 for an out-of-bounds hit on Titans operating again Tony Pollard.
He was fined earlier this 12 months after punching Bears operating again Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred throughout a battle that began after his onerous throw on QB Caleb Williams close to the road lateral had not been reported.
Al-Shaair, a sixth-year skilled, will certainly obtain a wonderful for Lawrence’s homicide and will even be suspended.
Early in his tenure, Al-Shaair stated he at all times performed onerous and would by no means deliberately attempt to hurt anybody.
“My purpose is to hit you as onerous as I can after which pray that you could nonetheless rise up and do the following play,” he wrote. “And when the sport is over, go house to your loved ones unhurt as a result of it is not private, it is simply competitors! We’re each attempting to do the identical factor, which is present for our households!”
Associated Press reporting.
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