Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been under fire following his hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence Sunday.
Al-Shaair blasted Lawrence with a late hit after the quarterback slid at the end of a scramble in yesterday's game in Jacksonville. The illegal hit erupted into a skirmish involving both teams, as Jaguars players came to Lawrence's defense and Texans jumped in to protect Al-Shaair.
The NFL is expected to suspend Al-Shaair, who has already been fined twice this season, once for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson and another time for a hit on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard.
On Monday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear that despite the situation, the team has Al-Shaair's back.
“With the entire Azeez situation, we stand behind Azeez and everything that came from that," Ryans said, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC. “Of course, the unfortunate hit on the quarterback, but also it's two-fold. A lot of the quarterbacks, this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule where they slide late and they try to get an extra yard. If you're a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender, whether it’s on the sideline or on the quarterback."
Ryans said it was "unfortunate" that Lawrence was hurt and he hoped the Jacksonville quarterback was okay, but stood up for Al-Shaair's character and the way he plays the game.
“He’s an exceptional leader for us," Ryans said. "Azeez is a really good player, and he plays the game the right way. His intent is never to hurt anyone as he’s playing the game. If anybody knows Azeez and talks to Azeez, there's nobody with a bigger heart than Azeez. This guy is a special guy I’ve known since 2019. Special young man. Love working with him. For any picture that’s painted that Azeez is a dirty player or doing something intentional, that’s the exact opposite of what Azeez is. People who know Azeez, they know him. They know how he plays the game.
“Yes, he plays it fast. He plays it physical. Sometimes that physical nature gets misunderstood in today’s game.”
Al-Shaair, 27, who is in his sixth NFL season, issued an apology to Lawrence on social media earlier today.
"I've always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that," Al-Shaair began. "My goal is to hit you as hard as I can and they 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," Al-Shaair continued. "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 out 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.'"
