Al-Shaair again spoke in support of Palestinians in the US — The National
Houston Texans NFL linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wrote the name “Wafaa Akila” in black paint under his eyes before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the United States. The 29-year-old player could face his third fine from the league this year, The National reports.
According to the outlet, eight-year-old Wafaa was killed along with her father in an Israeli airstrike on the car they were travelling in to get supplies after her first day of school. The game ended with the Texans losing to the Bengals, 6–20.
Fines for messages under the eyes
Previously, Al-Shaair wrote “Hind Rajab” before the season-opening game against the Buffalo Bills. The NFL prohibits players from displaying messages not approved by the league and fined him approximately $11,500.
Hind Rajab was a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza in 2024 along with six members of her family when their car was fired upon by Israeli forces. Israeli military police opened a criminal investigation into her death.
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In January, the NFL also fined the athlete for the message “stop genocide,” which he displayed during a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The following week, he repeated the slogan during warm-ups before a game against the New England Patriots but removed it before the game began. Al-Shaair later said he was told that he would not be included in the lineup if he took the field with the message.
Support from Kyrie Irving
Dallas Mavericks basketball player Kyrie Irving publicly promised to pay Al-Shaair’s fine for the message bearing Hind Rajab’s name. The football player himself said that they support one another and share a commitment to humanity regardless of skin colour or race.
Al-Shaair was born in Tampa, spent part of his childhood in Jeddah, and later played for the Florida Atlantic Owls college team. In 2024, he signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Texans, and in April signed a new three-year, $54 million deal. In the 2026 season, he is a team captain.
