Trevor Lawrence’s wife speaks out after after dirty hit on $422m star
The wife of an NFL superstar has taken to social media after her husband was knocked out in one of the ugliest late hits ever seen.
Trevor Lawrence’s wife Marissa has spoken out after her husband was carted off the field during the second quarter of Monday morning’s (AEDT) game against the Texans after a disgraceful late hit from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, which sparked two separate shoving matches between the teams and led to a pair of ejections.
In a post on her Instagram story, she thanked those who had been reaching out after the hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
“Thank you for all the texts and prayers,” she wrote. “Just taking time to make sure he’s okay and get(s) healthy but we appreciate all the support and love.”
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The hit occurred with just over four minutes left in the first half when Lawrence scrambled and started his slide, with Al-Shaair’s forearm and body connecting with Lawrence’s helmet and neck.
Lawrence, who signed a five-year, $422m deal with the Jaguars this year, remained on the ground while nearly two dozen players started shoving near the Jaguars’ sideline, and eventually, Lawrence — who was ruled out with a head injury — was helped onto the passenger seat of a cart and was driven off the field.
Another scuffle broke out after Al-Shaair and Jaguars offensive lineman Brandon Scherff started shouting at each other, and Jacksonville fans threw items at Al-Shaair as he walked toward the tunnel.
Al-Shaair and Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected, while tight end Evan Engram also drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness.
NFL fans and experts were outraged by the hit, with many calling it a “cheap shot” and a “disgusting” play, while declaring it was the right response from the Jaguars to confront the Texans linebacker over the hit.
“That’s bull by Azeez Al-Shaair!! You just dive over the QB’s head when they slide. You make sure they go down but you don’t go to the players helmet like that. I 100% agree with an ejection,” former NFL star Ryan Clark wrote on X.
“And 100% there’s supposed to be a fight! Jaguars did the right thing.”
Author Nick Adams wrote: “This is a disgusting and dirty hit.”
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III posted: “Prayers up for Trevor Lawrence. There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one.
Dr Chris Nowinski, a world-leading expert on concussion, was disturbed by the incident.
“Trevor Lawrence suffered a significant traumatic brain injury here,” Nowinski wrote on X.
“He shows a clear ‘fencing response’, which means he is knocked out with a concussion deeper parts of his brain are malfunctioning.
“Wishing him the best.”
Former Patriots first-round pick Mac Jones entered at quarterback for the Jaguars, who trailed the Texans, 6-0 at the time.
The Texans ended up winning the game 23-20.
“It’s a play that nobody wants to see in our league,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said after the game.
“You see what happens after the fact ... and it just escalates.
“It’s unfortunate ... I’m glad that Trevor is going to be OK,” added the coach, although there was no word on when Lawrence will be able to return to action.
He had just returned to the lineup after missing two games with a left shoulder injury.
It’s not the first time this season that Al-Shaair has been involved in an onfield altercation.
In September he escaped a suspension after punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson, although he was reportedly fined $11,000 by the NFL.
That incident came after Al-Shaair hit Bears quarterback Caleb Williams along the sideline as Williams was headed out of bounds. When several Bears players complained, Al-Shaair punched Johnson’s facemask.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he would speak to Al-Shaair about the play. “It’s unfortunate,” Ryans said.
“That’s not what we’re coaching, that’s not representative of who we are.”
The Texans’ 23-20 victory was just their second in five weeks and pushed the AFC South leaders’ record to 8-5.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, endured a fifth straight defeat.
This article first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission
— With AFP
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