Lisa Salters (Photo By Rich Barnes-Imagn Images)
NBA fans watching Game 6 of the Finals on Thursday night saw something more than just basketball. They saw strength. They saw resilience. And they saw Lisa Salters, standing tall on the sidelines, carrying more than just a microphone.

Salters, who has covered everything from NBA Finals to Monday Night Football, showed up for work despite personal struggles that have quietly followed her throughout the playoffs. Her mother is currently dealing with serious health issues, a fact ESPN’s Mike Breen shared during Game 2.

The news hit home for many who admire Salters not just for her reporting but for her poise and professionalism.

Fans Rally Behind Salters Amid Personal Struggles

ESPN Request Prayers For Sideline Reporter Lisa SaltersLisa Salters (Photo By Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Breen’s words echoed during the broadcast: “Although we’ve never met her mom, we owe her a debt of gratitude for giving us the gift of Lisa Salters, who is the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have.” That sentiment sparked a wave of support that continued to build through Game 6 and flooded social media.

 

Fans quickly voiced their love and concern.

“I hope all is well with her and her family,” one viewer posted on X.

Another wrote, “Lisa and Steph are two of the classiest ladies in the business. Prayers for both families.”

A third chimed in, “Thoughts and prayers to Lisa Salters.” Many also extended support to Salters’ longtime partner, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White, who is currently on a leave of absence.

Despite the emotional weight, Salters delivered as she always does- sharp, composed, and connected. Her appearance on the sidelines didn’t go unnoticed, and neither did her effort to keep pushing forward while balancing family matters behind the scenes.

Salters, a Sports Emmy winner and the longest-tenured sideline reporter in Monday Night Football history, has earned her place as one of the most respected journalists in the game. What fans saw Thursday night was more than just a professional doing her job. It was a quiet show of strength from someone many already admired, and now admire even more.

She’s expected to return for Game 7 of the Finals on Sunday night. For now, the sports world continues to stand with her, hoping for peace, strength, and healing for her and her family.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best 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 get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my 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 that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
+2
View gallery

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
+2
View gallery

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll 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 you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades 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 am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’