Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair received news just hours before the team’s Divisional Round matchup that he’d been fined by the NFL-$11,593 to be exact-for a violation of the league’s uniform and equipment rules. The fine stemmed from Al-Shaair wearing eye black that featured a personal message during the Texans’ Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The message, which read “STOP THE GENOCIDE,” was visible when Al-Shaair appeared on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt following the game. It was a clear reference to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a topic Al-Shaair has not shied away from in the past. He’s previously used the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative to spotlight the situation, and in a 2024 interview with the Houston Chronicle, he spoke openly about his belief that the issue is being “almost silenced.”
The NFL rulebook is pretty specific when it comes to uniform regulations. Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 outlines what players can and cannot wear on game days, including a ban on personal messages on eye black. Al-Shaair’s decision to wear the statement, while deeply personal, ran afoul of that policy-and the league responded accordingly.
This moment came on the heels of a strong performance from Al-Shaair, who posted three solo tackles and assisted on three more in the Texans’ playoff opener. The defense as a whole made headlines for how it handled veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, with some fans jokingly accusing the unit of “elder abuse” for the physical way they pressured him throughout the game.
Still, the fine doesn’t overshadow what’s been a breakout year for the 28-year-old linebacker. Al-Shaair was named to his first Pro Bowl this season and also took home the Texans’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award-an honor that speaks to both his on-field leadership and off-field impact.
Financially, he’s on the rise too. After earning just over $1 million in 2025, his salary is set to jump to $11 million in 2026, a well-earned reward for a player who’s made himself indispensable to Houston’s defense.
Al-Shaair’s message may have cost him financially, but it also underscored the platform NFL players have-and the personal convictions they sometimes choose to express, even when it comes with consequences.