"Bigger Than Football" - Fans divided as Azeez Al-Shaair risks substantial fines for political gear

Azeez Al-Shaair has again used his NFL platform to highlight the death of Hind Rajab , and the Houston Texans linebacker is now facing another league fine after the message appeared on his eye black.

The NFL fined Al-Shaair $11,492 for displaying “Hind Rajab” during Houston ’s Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills . The penalty concerns an unauthorized personal message under league equipment rules.

Rajab was five when she was killed in Gaza City in January 2024 after the car carrying her family came under fire. Her death drew international attention after she remained trapped and called for help.

Al-Shaair has previously faced the NFL ’s discipline for a similar message. He was fined $11,593 in January after displaying “stop the genocide” on his eye black during a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers .

At the time, Al-Shaair explained why he accepted the possibility of another penalty while arguing that the subject was bigger than football and that he wanted people to consider the suffering of civilians.

“I knew that that was a fine,” Al-Shaair said. “I understood what I was doing. But I was told that if I wore that in the game I would be pulled out the game, so I think that was probably the part I was confused about.

“At the end of the day, it’s bigger than me. The things that are going through makes people uncomfortable, imagine how (Palestinians) feel? That’s the biggest thing. I have no affiliation, no connection, to these people.

“Other than the fact that I am a human being. If you have a heart and you’re a human being, and you see what’s going on in this world, you check yourself real quick."

The death of Rajab became a global symbol of the Gaza war’s civilian toll. More than two years later, Israel ’s military has acknowledged that its troops fired on the car carrying her family and ordered a criminal investigation.

The admission marks a major development in a case that drew global attention after Hind was trapped inside the vehicle, surrounded by dead relatives, while pleading with Palestinian medics to come and save her.

Israeli officials had previously said troops were not present near the vehicle. Investigations by The Washington Post and Sky News later found evidence indicating Israeli armored forces were in the area.

Now, the military says its review found that Israeli troops fired at the vehicle as it approached them. It also said the case would be examined by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division.

On January 29, 2024, Hind and six relatives were trying to flee Gaza City in a black Kia when the vehicle came under fire.

Layan called the Palestine Red Crescent Society and told dispatchers, “They are shooting at us. The tank is right next to me.” Layan was then killed as gunfire erupted around the vehicle. When responders called back, Hind answered and said the others were dead, while warning that the tank was still approaching. Hind remained on the phone with Red Crescent dispatchers for hours. “I’m so scared, please come. Come take me. Please, will you come?” The Red Crescent coordinated with Palestinian health officials and the Israeli military before sending an ambulance toward the vehicle. Contact was eventually lost after reports of gunfire or an explosion. Twelve days later, the bodies were recovered after Israeli forces withdrew from the area. Hind was found inside the bullet-riddled car, while the ambulance was discovered nearby, destroyed. The two paramedics sent to rescue her, Yusuf al-Zeino and Ahmed al-Madhoun , were also found dead. Their deaths became part of the wider international scrutiny surrounding the incident.