Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair removed an inscription honoring a Palestinian girl after an NFL official told him he would not be allowed to continue playing if he kept it during the team’s Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Al-Shaair had worn Wafaa Akila’s name beneath his eyes during pregame warmups, and the marking remained when the game started. An NFL source told OutKick that a league official later noticed the inscription and informed the player and the Texans that it had to be removed.
Al-Shaair complied and played the remainder of the game without eyeblack. The warning came one week after he was fined $11,492 for writing the name of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl, on his eyeblack. He did not appeal that penalty.
The linebacker discussed the fine with reporters last week, saying, “What’s a life worth? Is a life worth $11,000? I think it’s priceless.” Al-Shaair, who is Muslim, signed a three-year contract extension worth $54 million in April.
NFL rules prohibit players from displaying personal messages during game day. The league has previously warned players, including Jim McMahon, Maxx Crosby, Odell Beckham and A.J. Brown, that personalized headwear or cleats could result in removal from a game.
Al-Shaair was also fined $11,593 in January for writing “Stop the Genocide” on his eyeblack, while Arizona Cardinals defensive back Kei'Trel Clark was fined last week for a religious message.
