Texans’ Azeez al-Shaair fined for pro-Palestinian message on eyeblack: report

A transparent message in help of the Palestinians has price a Houston Texans star.

Linebacker Azeez al-Shair was noticed carrying eye black textual content that learn: “Cease the genocide“, seemingly in reference to the continued battle in Israel and Gaza, throughout the group’s 30-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers final week.

ESPN reported Sunday morning that al-Shaair had been fined $11,593 for carrying a “private message,” which violated the league’s uniform and gear guidelines.

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Azeez al-Shaair of the Houston Texans shakes arms with Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers after the wild card playoff recreation at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Photos)

The NFL rulebook Rule 5, Part 4, Rule 8 specifies what gamers could and should not put on on recreation days. The rule states: “Through the interval on match day when a participant is seen to the stadium and tv viewers (together with throughout pre-match warm-ups, on the bench and through post-match interviews within the locker room or on the sphere), gamers are prohibited from carrying, displaying or in any other case conveying private messages, whether or not in writing or in illustration, until such message has been authorised prematurely by the League workplace.

“The League is not going to authorize any membership or participant to put on, show or in any other case convey messages, by means of helmet stickers, armbands, jersey patches, mouthpieces or different gadgets affixed to match uniforms or gear, regarding political actions or causes, different non-football occasions, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns. Additional, such authorised gadgets should be modest in dimension, tasteful, non-commercial and non-controversial; is probably not worn for multiple soccer. season.”

There had been opposition that Al-Shaair was not punished. San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa was fined final season for carrying a “Make America Nice Once more” hat after a recreation. Bosa mentioned carrying the hat was “price it” throughout the “essential time.”

Al-Shaair has supported Palestinians prior to now, together with carrying “Free Palestine” cleats for the NFL’s “My Trigger My Cleats” marketing campaign throughout the 2024 season.

Al-Shaair had “Free” written on one facet of his sneakers within the colours of the Palestinian flag. On one shoe was written: ‘Certainly to Allah we belong and to Him we’ll all return’. On the facet of his different shoe he listed the variety of Palestinians reportedly killed and injured warfare with Israel.

Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans speaks along with his teammates earlier than kickoff in opposition to the Steelers on Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill/Getty Photos)

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The sneakers had been for the Palestine Youngsters’s Aid Fund, which he additionally supported in 2023.

“I really feel prefer it’s one thing that is nearly attempting to be silenced,” Al-Shaair instructed the BBC Houston Chronicle on the time. “It isn’t proper on both facet for individuals to lose their lives. Under no circumstances am I validating something that occurred, however to say that persistently as a result of [Oct. 7] harmless individuals [in Gaza] ought to die now, it is insane.

“[Other people] attempt to disconnect and dehumanize the individuals there. And it is like they’re human beings. As a Muslim we see everybody the identical; Black, white, Hispanic, no matter you might be; you may be orange, like we’re all human.”

Al-Shaair was additionally a part of the Athletes for Ceasefire group.

Through the match, whereas carrying the Palestinian boots, Al-Shaair made a sort out Trevor Lawrence inflicting him to endure a concussion, which led to a setback and an expulsion. In a press release apologizing for the blow, he snapped at “racist and Islamophobic followers and other people” for attacking him on-line.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides down in entrance of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair at EverBank Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos)

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The Texans face the New England Patriots on Sunday, with the winner heading to Denver to tackle the Broncos for a visit to Tremendous Bowl LX.

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