Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,593 by the NFL for violating uniform and equipment rules after wearing eye black with the message “stop the genocide” during the team’s wild-card playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The league initially tried to keep the fine quiet despite the fact that it would have shown consistency for all players.
The personal message, which referenced the ongoing conflict in Gaza, was deemed unapproved under league policies that prohibit such displays on game day without prior authorization. Al-Shaair, a devout Muslim, addressed the penalty postgame, standing firm in his convictions.
“It’s bigger than me. Things are going on that make people uncomfortable. Imagine how those people feel. I think that’s the biggest thing,” he told reporters. “I have no affiliation and no connection to these people other than the fact that I’m a human being.”
“When you see what’s going on in the world, you check yourself real quick. That’s the reason—when I’m walking off this field, that’s the type of stuff that goes through my head, that I have to check myself. And I’ve seen myself crying about football when these people are dying every single day.”
#Texans Azeez Al-Shaair on being fined by #NFL 'I understand it's a fine. It's bigger than me. It makes people uncomfortable. Imagine how those people feel? There's people dying. I'm a human being and I care' @KPRC2 https://t.co/Wy5tfPadmF pic.twitter.com/fMcKTMZIl3
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 19, 2026
Azeez Al-Shaair NFL Fine: Texans Linebacker Stands Firm After $11K Penalty for ‘Stop the Genocide’ Eye Black Message
Azeez Al-Shaair has long advocated for Palestinian causes, including through the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” program in previous seasons. Last year, he participated in the initiative by wearing custom cleats emblazoned with “Free Palestine” in the colors of the Palestinian flag, along with a Quranic verse and statistics on reported casualties in Gaza.
“Given the recent events in Israel and Gaza, this nonprofit provides medical aid and essential supplies to children injured and left homeless by the bombings in Gaza,” he said about the charity.
Human rights organizations and a United Nations commission have described Israeli actions as genocidal. Israel contends they are replying to the October 7th terrorist attack with righteous, overwhelming force against a terrorist organization.
The 2023 attacks on Israel saw Hamas murder more than 1,200 innocent men, women, and children — including 46 Americans — at the Nova music festival.
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Al-Shaair was a key cog in the Texans’ dominant defensive performance against the Steelers. He recorded six tackles, three of them solo, and one for a loss of yardage.
Against the New England Patriots he was equally as dominant in a losing effort. He led the team in tackes with nine, four of them solo. Unfortunately, it was in a losing effort as the Texans couldn’t overcome five turnovers to punch a ticket to the AFC Championship game.
Last season, Nick Bosa was fined by the NFL for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat postgame.
Eight players were fined for rules infractions during Wildcard Weekend.
Al-Shaair didn’t stick to his guns this past weekend. He said officials told him he’d be removed from the contest against the Patriots if he wore the message again. That seems highly unlikely.