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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wore \u201cstop the genocide\u201d eye black for the second straight playoff game during Sunday\u2019s divisional matchup against the New England Patriots. The message echoed the one that led to a fine from the NFL, according to ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter.<\/p>\n
Al-Shaair was reportedly fined $11,593 for wearing the same message in last Monday\u2019s wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He displayed the message in a postgame interview on \u201cSportsCenter,\u201d which violates section 4, article 8 of the NFL rulebook.\u00a0The policy prohibits players from showing personal messages on game day.<\/p>\n
It is unclear whether Al-Shaair wore the message during the game or only had it on pre-game. He was seen on TV wearing eye black with no message on it later in the game.<\/p>\n
The message referenced the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a cause Al-Shaair has repeatedly highlighted through the NFL\u2019s \u201cMy Cause My Cleats\u201d program. The linebacker, who is a practicing Muslim, has consistently spoken out about the human toll of the fighting and regularly shares updates and commentary on social media. On Sunday, he posted two stories on his Instagram related to the conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like it\u2019s something that\u2019s trying to be almost silenced,\u201d Al-Shaair told the\u00a0Houston Chronicle\u00a0during the 2024 season. \u201cOn either side, people losing their lives is not right. In no way, shape, or form.\u201d<\/p>\n
CAIR-Houston, the largest Muslim civil rights group in the U.S., praised Al-Shaair\u2019s actions last week and also released a statement Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe again applaud Houston Texans player Azeez Al-Shaair for using his platform to call for an end to genocide anywhere and everywhere, and we strongly object to the NFL\u2019s reported decision to fine him for doing so amid pressure from pro-Israel extremists,\u201d said Imran Ghani, CAIR-Houston\u2019s Director of Operations. \u201cAzeez Al-Shaair\u2019s message was rooted in basic human decency and concern for innocent lives. That should not be controversial, much less subject to a fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ghani also criticized the prospect of a fine in light of some coaches wearing pins from Patriots owner Robert Kraft\u2019s \u201cStand Up to Jewish Hate\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201c(The NFL) should have no problem with an NFL player opposing genocide, whether the genocide in Gaza or Sudan or elsewhere,\u201d Ghani said. \u201cIt should approve the use of the slogan \u2018Stop the Genocide\u2019 going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Al-Shaair\u2019s reported fine is part of the NFL\u2019s ongoing pattern of disciplining players who display political or personal statements on the field. A notable example came last season when San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was fined $11,255 for wearing a \u201cMake America Great Again\u201d hat during a postgame interview with teammate Brock Purdy. The league also cited Rule 5, section 4, article 8 for that fine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n