Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair spoke out Monday following his three-game suspension for his hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Al-Shaair is slated to return to the field Sunday for the Texans’ Week 18 contest against the Tennessee Titans. The 27-year-old posted a nine-paragraph statement on X.
In his message, Al-Shaair thanked those who stood by him amid the backlash. He described the experience of seeing replays of his hit on Lawrence as “an embarrassing and eye-opening moment.”
Al-Shaair also revealed that he had met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL executives Troy Vincent and Jon Runyon during his suspension. While Al-Shaair said he owned up to his mistake during the meeting, he also expressed his displeasure toward the way the NFL had announced his suspension.
You can read the NFL’s full statement announcing Al-Shaair’s suspension here.
Al-Shaair closed his statement on a positive note. He implored fans to “move with love and compassion” in a world full of negativity.
The NFL reportedly considered an even harsher punishment for Al-Shaair but ultimately ruled against it.
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