The NFL fined Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for writing “stop the genocide” across his eye black, ESPN reported Sunday.
He drew the $11,593 fine for a violation of NFL uniform and equipment rules after displaying the message during Monday’s 30-6 AFC wild-card win at Pittsburgh, per the report.
In spite of the fine, Al-Shaair could be seen wearing the same message in his eye black before Houston’s 28-16 loss at the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round on Sunday. During the game, he was observed with the message removed.
“They always fine you, but I was told if I wore that in the game, I would be pulled out of the game,” Al-Shaair said after the contest. “That was probably the part that I was confused about, because I understood it was a fine, but I ain’t never seen (wideout Stefon Diggs) get pulled out of the game for having eye tape with writing on it.”
Al-Shaair had a strong outing against the Patriots with team-best outputs of nine tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Al-Shaair, 28, reportedly was referencing concerns over Israel’s policies in Gaza and the deaths of more than 70,000 people in military operations since the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023.
Al-Shaair, who is Muslim, also has shown support for Palestinian causes through the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” program. “If my platform can bring even a little hope to families in Palestine, then that is what I want to use it for,” he said in a statement earlier this season.
Al-Shaair, a first-time Pro Bowl selection this season, had six tackles in the playoff win against the Steelers. He had 103 tackles, nine passes defensed and two interceptions in 16 starts during the regular season.
–Field Level Media
