Houston Texans captain and standout linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has never been shy about making a statement on the football field. The Texans leading tackler did such a thing Sunday, starting the 2026-27 season with the name “Hind Rajab” written on his eye black.
On Tuesday, the NFL fined the Texans linebacker $11,492 for the inscription, which he wore during Houston’s 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. On Wednesday, another sports superstar spoke up in response to the fine.
Who is ‘Hind Rajab’?
The message focused on Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza in 2024. Al-Shaair, who is Muslim and has previously spoken publicly about his support for Palestinians, wore Rajab’s name at Houston’s season opener as a tribute. Back in January, during the Texans’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025-26 AFC Wild Card playoff, Al-Shaair was fined $11,593 for another the message “Stop the Genocide” on his eye black.
“At the end of the day, it’s bigger than me, the things that are going on,” Al-Shaair said in the Texans locker room after the playoff game. “It makes people uncomfortable. Imagine how [Palestinians] feel. I think that’s the biggest thing. I have no affiliation, no connection to these people other than the fact that I’m a human being.”
#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’ @KPRC2https://t.co/Wy5tfPadmFpic.twitter.com/fMcKTMZIl3
– Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 19, 2026
It’s notable that the league’s fines aren’t necessarily about the content of the messages. The NFL rulebook requires players to obtain authorization before displaying messaging on equipment and accessories on game days while visible to fans or a television audience.
Which superstar responded to the NFL fine?
One person who shares a pro-Palestinian viewpoint is Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving. On Wednesday morning, Irving offered to cover Al-Shaair’s fine.
“I’ll take care of his fine,” Irving wrote on social media after learning of the penalty.
I’ll take care of his fine https://t.co/RUo9jXkCFu
– Kyrie🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) September 16, 2026
Irving has long been outspoken about the conflict between Palestine and Israel. The likely future basketball hall of famer has used his social media platforms to shed light on Palestinian children in adverse conditions and has worn “PRESS” T-shirts that honor the approximately 300 journalists and media workers who have died from Israeli attacks in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.
What are the competing claims over Israel’s actions in Gaza?
To date, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 people, including tens of thousands of women and children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Rights groups and U.N. commissions have described the campaign as genocidal, stating that Israeli forces have committed numerous war crimes, such as the indiscriminate use of force and the deliberate targeting of civilians.
But Israel denies the accusations of genocide and war crimes, asserting that its military actions are focused on Hamas following the group’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023. Israeli officials argue that civilian casualties are the responsibility of Hamas because the militant group operates within populated areas of the densely populated enclave.
While Israeli authorities maintain the country’s justice system is capable of addressing any violations by its military personnel, human rights organizations claim soldiers are seldom held accountable for their actions.
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This article originally published at NBA superstar offers to pay Texans star’s fine over Palestine message.
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