Houston Texans defensive end Azeez Al-Shaeir broke his silence Monday morning. After he received criticism for his attack on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, which left him with a concussion.
Al-Sha’ir also fired back at journalists and those who scrutinized him for his pro-Palestinian football cleats after the incident.
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Azeez Al-Shaair, number 0 player of the Houston Texans, was held back by Henry Tootoo, number 39 player of the Houston Texans, after being ejected in the game. against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Everbank Stadium on December 1, January 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Image)
“I played this game as hard as I could. It was never my intention to hurt anyone and anyone who knows me knows that. My goal is to hit you as hard as I can. I pray you can still overcome” and continue to make plays,” he said in a statement. “And when the game is over Go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal! It’s just a competition. We are both trying to do the same thing which is providing for our families!
“I really don’t see him sliding at all. Until it’s too late And it all happened in the blink of an eye. To Trevor, I sincerely apologize to you for what happened. Before the game we talked and I told you how it was.” Good to see you back on the field. And I wish you well. I don’t want to see any player get hurt because of a hit on them. Especially games that are considered ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary’ to other teammates. I can understand that you helped and protected him in that situation.
Trevor Lawrence, quarterback No. 16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars, slides in front of Aziz Al-Shaer, No. 0 player of the Houston Texans. During the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, Jan. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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“To the rest of the people I have been called every name in the book, from journalists ready to dig into stories to find the bad guys, to fans and people who are racist and Islamophobic. You don’t know my heart or my heart. A character that I don’t need to prove to anyone. God knows my intentions. And anyone who is a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”
Al-Sha’ir was ejected from the Texans’ 23-20 win over the Jaguars for an attack on Lawrence’s head and neck. It sparked a quarrel. This led to the firing of Jacksonville quarterback Jarrian Jones.
Jaguars player defends Lawrence and calls Al-Sha’ir’s attack “dirty”
Lawrence provided a health update later Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ No. 16 quarterback Trevor Lawrence dropped, while Houston Tex’s No. 0 player Aziz Al-Sha’er dropped. Sands hits during the 2nd quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, March 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)
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“Thank you to everyone who has reached out/prayed for me,” he wrote on X. “I am home and feeling better. It means a lot. Thank you everyone.”
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