The NFL required Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to remove an inscription during the team’s Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. An official told the Texans and Al-Shaair that the marking had to come off and warned that he could be removed from the contest if it remained. Al-Shaair finished the game without eyeblack.
Before the game, he had written “Wafaa Akila” on the eyeblack, and it was visible when play started. The action came after Al-Shaair was fined $11,492 in Week 1 for displaying “Hind Rajab.” Fox News reported that Rajab was a Palestinian girl who died during a bombing in Gaza. Al-Shaair did not challenge that penalty.
The league bans personal messages displayed by players on game day. It has previously warned Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon and players with customized cleats that they could be kept from playing unless the messages were removed. Arizona Cardinals defensive back Kei'Trel Clark was fined last week for writing “Glory B 2 God” on his eyeblack.
Al-Shaair, who is Muslim, was also fined $11,593 in January for “Stop the Genocide.” Discussing that penalty, he said, “What’s a life worth? ... Is a life worth $11,000? I think it’s priceless.” He signed a three-year, $54 million extension in April.
