Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been penalized $11,593 for using eye black that displayed the phrase «stop the genocide» during last week’s wild-card matchup, a source informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.
Al-Shaair faced the fine for breaching NFL uniform and equipment guidelines by donning eye black that conveyed a personal message.
Source: Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,593 for a violation of the NFL uniform and equipment rules for wearing eye black that contained a personal message during last week’s Wild Card game. pic.twitter.com/Z9r57v9dxC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2026
The statement referred to apprehensions regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, where numerous lives have been lost during Israeli military operations following the tragic Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023. Israel has firmly dismissed genocide claims as an act of antisemitism.
Al-Shaair, who practices Islam, has supported Palestinian initiatives on the field, utilizing footwear in the NFL’s «My Cause, My Cleats» program to advocate for Palestinian issues in recent seasons.
«If my platform can bring even a little hope to families in Palestine, then that is what I want to use it for,» he expressed in an earlier statement this season.
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.
