Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair will be suspended by the NFL for the vicious tackle that left Trevor Lawrence with a concussion and outraged the football world on Sunday.
Al-Shaair caused major controversy in the Texans’ 23-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars after flying elbow first into Lawrence, despite the rival quarterback sliding to give himself up on the play.
The brutal hit left the Jaguars players and coaches fuming, with both teams engaged in a massive brawl before the Texans defender was quickly ejected from the game.
And after the fuss over his illegal tackle, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Al-Shaair will now be suspended.
It is currently unclear how long the suspension will last, but the NFL is expected to come down hard on the player after his dangerous hit forced a dazed Lawrence onto a cart.
Despite being carted off the field, the Jacksonville star assured fans later Sunday night that he is recovering well and “feeling better” at home.
Azeez Al-Shaair is suspended by the NFL after his brutal attack on Trevor Lawrence
The Houston Texans linebacker will be punished for the illegal tackle that sparked outrage
The next morning, Marissa, his wife of the past three years, released a message thanking fans for their support and emphasizing that Trevor’s health is her priority right now.
Al-Shaair, who has also been under fire for the controversial political message he wore on his boots, also made a statement Monday morning after being ejected from the game against Jacksonville.
As well as apologizing to him, the 27-year-old insisted he never meant to harm Lawrence and only saw him slip away when it was ‘too late’.
‘I’ve always played the game as hard as I can. Never with the intention of harming anyone, and everyone who knows me knows that,” Al-Shaair wrote. “My goal is to hit you as hard as I can, and then I pray that you are still able to get up and play the next game.” And when the game is over, go home unscathed to your family, because it’s not personal, it’s just competition! We’re both trying to do the same thing: take care of our families!
‘I really didn’t see him slide until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye.
“To Trevor, I would like to sincerely apologize for what ultimately happened. We spoke before the game and I told you how great it was to see you back on the field and wished you the best. I would never want a player to get hurt by a hit I give him, especially if it is deemed ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary’.
“For the rest of his teammates, I can certainly understand standing behind him and defending him in a situation like this. To the rest of the people I’ve been called by every name in the book, from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people: you don’t know my heart or my character. which I don’t have to prove to any of you.
Players from the Texans and Jaguars got into an argument after Lawrence was left motionless on the ground
Al-Shaair has apologized for the tackle, despite being restrained by teammates that day
Lawrence reassured fans on Sunday evening that he is recovering well at home and ‘feeling better’
“God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”
Al-Shaair now finds himself at the center of further controversy after observant fans spotted a pro-Palestine message on his boots during Sunday’s match.
The Tampa-born NFL star, who is a practicing Muslim, had “Free” written on the outside of his shoes in red and green Palestine colors, with messages written on the side.
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Another urged the NFL to suspend him, but others defended him, writing, “Religion of Peace.”
A right-wing commentator, meanwhile, has demanded fans ‘boycott’ the NFL after accusing Al-Shaair of carrying a ‘pro-terrorism message’ on his boots.
Nick Adams, an Australian-born right-wing commentator and self-proclaimed alpha male, wrote on X: ‘Azeez Al-Shaair wears pro-terrorism messages on his shoes and faces no consequences.
Al-Shaair is also under fire for wearing a pro-Palestine message on his shoes in the game
‘Nick Bosa wears a MAGA hat in a postgame interview and he’s fined the NFL’s maximum amount. Boycott the NFL.”
During weeks 13 and 14 of the season, NFL players can wear specially designed cleats to support causes close to them through the ‘My Cause My Cleats’ initiative.
One of Al-Shaair’s cleats read: “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return,” while the other read: “At least 41,788 Palestinians killed.” It is estimated that more than 10,000 people are buried under the rubble. 96,794 injured.”
Al-Shaair is a practicing Muslim and he joined the Texans in March on a three-year, $34 million contract.