Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair admitted in a lengthy statement on social media that he regrets his illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the “embarrassing” fight that followed.
Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension for the incident comes to an end, and the linebacker is scheduled to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
On December 1 his brutal blow to the head of a slippery, defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. Al-Shaair needed to be restrained by several coaches in the ensuing melee and Lawrence has not played since suffering the barbaric contact.
“While many took the first opportunity to launch into the false narrative (that I’m a dirty player or a bad person), the messages from everyone who supported me were the only thing keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation.” Al-Shaair said on social media.
‘I have learned a lot from this whole experience. Watching myself on video, letting my emotions get the better of me to the point where I completely lost it, was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.
‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to push me to a point where I jeopardize everything I’ve worked my entire life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from there.’
Azeez Al-Shaair admitted regret for his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
Texans defensive back suspended three games for hitting Lawrence
Al-Shaair said that during his three-game suspension, he met for the first time with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives, and took issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension. .
The defender said he thought his character and integrity were “unjustifiably tarnished” in the release, but that the meeting with Goodell and others was “productive” and gave him hope it would not happen again.
“In that conversation, man to man, I admitted and acknowledged that my actions after my expulsion were careless and, at that time, I did not think about the responsibility with which I have been blessed to represent the shield,” Al-Shaair continued.
‘I also said that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally sloppy and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character or career as I had not been warned several times. for my play on the field.”
Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence wasn’t the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.
During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnsonwho wasn’t even in the game at the time of another confrontation on the bench.
Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field is on the same team to represent the NFL in the best way possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.
‘Lastly, I will say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good that you planted in the lives of others can become the same tree. that fills you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,” Al-Shaair concluded.
‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. “I’m also a great soccer player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.”