NFL fines Texans linebacker over Hind Rajab message
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been fined $11,492 by the National Football League for displaying the name “Hind Rajab” on his eye black during the Texans’ 36–31 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Al-Shaair wrote the name of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza in 2024, on the eye black beneath his eyes as a tribute to her memory.
The NFL cited its rule prohibiting players from displaying unauthorized personal messages during game day.
Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 states that players are prohibited from “wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration” unless the message has been approved in advance by the league.
Previous NFL fine
The latest penalty follows an $11,593 fine Al-Shaair received in January after wearing eye black bearing the message “Stop the genocide” during Houston’s wild-card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFL similarly cited its rules on personal messages.
Al-Shaair again displayed the “Stop the genocide” message before Houston’s subsequent playoff game against the New England Patriots, although he did not wear it during the game after being warned about the league’s rules.
Al-Shaair has repeatedly used his public platform to advocate for Palestinians and humanitarian causes.
He is listed as a signatory of the Athletes for Ceasefire initiative, which called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
He has also supported the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund through the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” program. In 2024, his cleats included the word “FREE” in support of the Free Palestine movement, along with references to Palestinian casualties.
