League: NFL Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

NFL official warns Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair over eye black message

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 27, 2026, 2:24 PM

Last updated Sep 27, 2026

NFL official warns Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair over eye black message

Summary

During the Houston Texans' Week 2 game on September 20 against the Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was given an ultimatum by an NFL official to remove a name inscribed on his eye black or face ejection from the game. The name referenced Wafaa Akila, an 8-year-old Palestinian girl killed in an Israeli strike earlier this month. Al-Shaair complied with the official's request, marking a significant instance of the NFL's handling of player expressions. Following this event, Al-Shaair is set to play against the Indianapolis Colts on September 28, making it his first game since this controversy arose.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

What We Know

•Azeez Al-Shaair was warned to remove his eye black message.
•The name referenced an 8-year-old girl killed in Gaza.
•Al-Shaair had previously been fined for similar expressions.
•The Texans, currently 0-2, face the Colts next.
•Al-Shaair's previous messages have prompted fines from the league.

Latest Updates

2:24 PMYahoo Sports — NFL official reportedly gave Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair ultimatum during Week 2 game

What they're saying

"
An NFL official gave Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair a choice early in the Texans’ Sept. 20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, The Athletic reported on Saturday, citing a league source. The details became public one day before Houston’s trip to Indianapolis. Al-Shaair began that game with the name Wafaa Akila written on his eye […] The post NFL official reportedly gave Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair ultimatum during Week 2 game appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
— Yahoo Sports

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