NFL fines for eye black messages

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has received multiple fines from the NFL for using his eye black to display messages related to the conflict in Gaza.

Following an $11,953 fine during a January playoff game for writing ‘stop the genocide’, Al-Shaair has continued the practice. He was recently fined $11,941 after Week 1 for writing the name of Hind Rajab, a 4-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza. During a Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he wrote the name of another slain Palestinian girl, Wafaa Akila, on his eye black. During this game, an NFL official reportedly threatened to remove Al-Shaair from the game if he did not remove the name. Al-Shaair complied to avoid losing playing time.

League officials have reportedly informed Al-Shaair that he must remove such messages or face being barred from games. Al-Shaair has expressed a willingness to accept financial penalties to convey his message, stating the humanitarian situation is ‘bigger than me’. He further noted that while he does not want to lose playing time, his actions are driven by humanitarian concern, stating, ‘If you have a heart and you’re a human being you can see what’s going on in the world.’ He also questioned the value of the penalties, asking, ‘Is a life worth $11,000? I think it’s priceless.’

In a show of support, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has reportedly offered to pay Al-Shaair’s fines.