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Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair is speaking out after getting fined by the NFL.
Last week, Al-Shaair, who has been outspoken in his support of Palestinians, went viral when he wrote “stop the genocide” on his eye black, which is a reference to the war in Gaza.
On Sunday, the NFL announced that they were fining Al-Shaair for violation of the NFL uniform rules/
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.
After the Texans’ loss on Sunday, Al-Shaair reacted to the fine while speaking to the media.
“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. 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