Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al Shaair was fined $11,492 by the NFL after displaying a pro-Palestinian message during a game, violating the league’s policy on personal messages.
Al Shaair inscribed the name of a Palestinian girl on his eyeblack in tribute to her memory during Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al-Shaair reacts after a stop during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al Shaair reacts after a stop during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Houston. The last three letters of “Hind Rajab” can be seen on his eye black. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Al Shaair, who is Muslim, wrote the name “Hind Rajab” on his eyeblack to honor her memory.
Hind Rajab was a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was found dead in February 2024 after going missing the month prior.
The NFL has a policy asking players not to display political or personal messages.
“Players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office,” the official 2026 NFL rulebook states.
This is not the first time al Shaair has been fined for displaying his beliefs.
He was fined $11,593 after he had “Stop the Genocide” written on his eye black in January, according to ESPN.
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Al Shaair has not posted on X since 2024. His second-to-last post includes a photo of a pair of cleats that say “FREE” and feature the colors of the Palestinian flag.
The conflict in the Middle East started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas led an attack on Israel.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
