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An apparent message of support for the Palestinians has cost a Houston Texans star.
Linebacker Azeez al-Shaair was seen wearing black on his eyes that read “Stop genocide“, likely in relation to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, last week during the team’s 30-6 playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN reported Sunday morning that al-Shaair was fined $11,593 for carrying a “personal message,” which violated the league’s uniform and equipment rules.
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Azeez al-Shaair of the Houston Texans shakes hands with Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers after an NFL Wild Card Playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
He NFL rule book sets out in Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 what players can and cannot wear on game days. The rule states: “During the period of game day in which a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from using, displaying, or transmitting personal messages, whether written or illustrated, unless such message has been previously approved by the League office.
“The League will not grant permission to any club or player to wear, display or transmit messages, through helmet decals, armbands, jersey patches, mouthpieces or other items affixed to uniforms or playing equipment, that relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns. In addition, such approved items must be modest in size, in good taste, non-commercial and non-controversial; they must not be used for more than one season of football.”
There was backlash that Al-Shaair wasn’t punished, but San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa was fined for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat last season after a game, but those cries can now be put to rest. Bosa said wearing the hat was “worth it” during the “important moment.”
Al-Shaair has supported Palestinians in the past, including wearing “Free Palestine” cleats for the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign during the 2024 season.
Al-Shaair had “Free” written on the side of his shoes in the colors of the Palestinian flag. On one of the shoes was written: “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return.” On the other side of the shoe, he included the number of Palestinians allegedly killed and wounded in his war with israel.
Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans talks to his teammates before the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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The shoes were for the Palestinian Children’s Aid Fund, which he also supported in 2023.
“I feel like it’s something they’re trying to almost be silenced,” Al-Shaair told the Houston Chronicle At the moment. “On both sides, people losing their lives is not right. In no way am I validating anything that happened, but saying that consistently because of [Oct. 7] innocent people [in Gaza] Now I should die, it’s crazy.
“[Other people] It tries to disconnect and dehumanize the people there. And it’s as if they were human beings. As a Muslim, we see everyone the same; Black, white, Spanish, whatever you are; “You can be orange, as if we were all human beings.”
Al-Shaair was also part of the Athletes for Ceasefire organization.
During the match, while wearing Palestinian shoes, Al-Shaair made an entrance to Trevor Lorenzo that left him with a concussion, leading to a backlash and ejection. In a statement apologizing for the hit, he harshly criticized “racist and Islamophobic bigots and people” for attacking him online.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in the second quarter of the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. (Images by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn)
The Texans will face the New England Patriots on Sunday, with the winner traveling to Denver to face the Broncos in a trip to Super Bowl LX.
