It was one of the most vicious hits the NFL has seen in years — now, the perpetrator is saying the violence was unintentional.
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair apologized in a social-media post Monday for his late hit on a sliding Trevor Lawrence that knocked the Jacksonville Jaguars QB out of the game with a concussion.
“I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye,” Al-Shaair wrote.
The play in the second quarter of the Texans’ 23-20 win over the Jaguars caused a fracas between the two teams and led to Al-Shaair’s ejection from the game.
Al-Shaair said he never plays the game with “intent to harm” and that he told Lawrence pre-game that he was happy to see him back from a prior shoulder injury.
“To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. … 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,” he said.
Lawrence was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defence and mobbed Al-Shaair, whose perceived cheap shot could result in a suspension.
“That was a dumb hit on his part,” Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. “Hate to see it. The first thing I thought of was to go get him because it’s your brother, and that’s the quarterback.”
Added tight end Evan Engram: “I saw him sliding and then I saw the hit, and then, honestly, (my emotions) just took over. I just knew it was wrong. It was just a dirty play, and you stick up for your guys.”
Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital for tests but he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion.
–with files from The Associated Press