NFL Fines Azeez Al-Shaair $11,492 for Hind Rajab Eyeblack Tribute
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 16
NFL Fines Azeez Al-Shaair $11,492 for Hind Rajab Eyeblack Tribute
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 16
Summary
$11,492 is the fine the NFL issued to Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for writing “Hind Rajab” on his eyeblack during Sunday’s 36-31 season-opening loss to the Bills.
The league said the tribute violated its ban on unapproved “personal messages” visible on game day, including during postgame locker-room interviews, where Al-Shaair still had the writing on.
Rajab was a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza in 2024; Israel’s military later acknowledged firing at the vehicle and ordered a criminal investigation, making the tribute politically charged.
Al-Shaair was also fined $11,593 in January for wearing eyeblack reading “Stop the Genocide,” and a source familiar with the matter said he is not expected to appeal this latest penalty.