League: NFL Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Coaching

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair fined for eye black message honoring Palestinian girl

3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 4:06 AM

Last updated Sep 16, 2026

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair fined for eye black message honoring Palestinian girl

Summary

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was fined over $11,000 for an unsanctioned message on his eye black during the team's 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Al-Shaair wrote 'Hind Rajab' in tribute to a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli military fire in January 2024. This follows a previous fine for a similar infraction last season, where he displayed 'stop the genocide'. The NFL maintains strict rules against unauthorized messages, with other players also facing fines for equipment violations in Week 1. Al-Shaair, who led the Texans with eight tackles, emphasized the importance of his message despite the penalties.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Azeez Al-Shaair fined $11,492 for 'Hind Rajab' on eye black.
•Fine related to unauthorized message, not the content itself.
•Al-Shaair had a team-high eight tackles in the loss.
•He previously fined for 'stop the genocide' last season.
•Reflected on the significance of his messages despite penalties.

Latest Updates

4:06 AMYahoo Sports — Azeez Al-Shaair Punished for Pro-Palestine Message as NFL Docks Texans Teammates
3:55 AMYahoo Sports — Texans news: Azeez Al-Shaair gets fined for unauthorized message on eyeblack
3:22 AMYahoo Sports — Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair fined for writing ‘Hind Rajab’ on eye black in loss to Bills to honor killed Palestinian girl

What they're saying

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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been vocal about his support for Palestine amid the ongoing genocide by Israel. On Sunday, he wrote the name of a young girl mercilessly killed by Israeli soldiers on his eye black in their game against the Buffalo Bills . The NFL, however, did not appreciate it and fined Al-Shaair almost $11,500 for […] The post Texans news: Azeez Al-Shaair gets fined for unauthorized message on eyeblack appeared first on ClutchPoints.
— Yahoo Sports

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Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was one of several Houston Texans players fined by the NFL ahead of Week 2. The post Azeez Al-Shaair Punished for Pro-Palestine Message as NFL Docks Texans Teammates appeared first on HEAVY.
— Yahoo Sports