Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is under intense scrutiny after delivering a devastating late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Sunday’s 23-20 Texans victory. The play not only resulted in Lawrence being carted off the field with a concussion but also ignited a wave of criticism from fans and players alike. The incident has thrust Al-Shaair into the spotlight, raising serious questions about his on-field conduct.
The controversy erupted in the second quarter when Lawrence scrambled for a six-yard gain and attempted a slide. Al-Shaair lunged forward and struck Lawrence’s head and neck with his elbow, leading to an immediate ejection. The hit, which left Lawrence sidelined indefinitely, was widely condemned as unnecessary and reckless. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram called the hit “not clean,” adding that it sparked a scuffle on the field as teammates rushed to defend their injured quarterback.
This isn’t Al-Shaair’s first time courting controversy. Earlier this season, he was fined $11,817 for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson. His reputation for aggressive play extends to a 2022 incident with Tom Brady, where he appeared to grab the legendary quarterback’s throat during a game. While no penalty was called at the time, the moment remains a sore point for fans, many of whom brought it up in the wake of Sunday’s incident.
In response to the backlash, Al-Shaair posted a public apology, claiming the hit on Lawrence was unintentional. “I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late,” he wrote, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring player safety. However, the apology did little to quell the outrage. Fans flooded social media, labeling him a “dirty player” and accusing him of avoiding accountability. Comments like, “This might mean something if you weren’t already a dirty player,” highlighted the skepticism surrounding his remorse.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans attempted to diffuse the situation, stating the hit was “not what we’re coaching” and pledging to address the matter internally. Despite this, the NFL is expected to review the play for potential disciplinary action.
As the debate rages on, the incident underscores the ongoing tension in football between aggressive play and player safety. With Lawrence sidelined and Al-Shaair’s reputation further tarnished, the fallout from this controversial hit is far from over.
