NFL fines Azeez Al-Shaair for "stop the genocide" message on eye black

During the Texans' wild-card victory over the Steelers, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wore eye black strips with the message "stop the genocide," resulting in an $11,593 fine from the NFL for violating the league's rule against personal messages. This message referred to the Israeli military operations in Gaza following the October 2023 terror attack. Al-Shaair, who has previously supported Palestinian causes through the "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign, acknowledged he expected the fine and indicated he was warned of removal from the game against the Patriots if the message was worn again.

The NFL's rules prohibit players from displaying personal messages unless approved by the league, emphasizing that such items must not relate to political activities or non-football causes. The league's stance on personal messages has been strict, as evidenced by past fines, including a $11,255 fine for Nick Bosa in 2024 for wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. The inconsistency in enforcement was