Beyond the ceasefire in Gaza, bombings, shootings and a continuous deterioration in the living conditions of the Palestinian population continue, exposing that Israel continues to perpetrate genocide. Before the eyes of the world, the world of sports has expressed itself, one of those who does so is Azeez Al Shaair, Houston Texans linebackerwho without saying a word, shows his disagreement and sends a message to the world.
During the interview they conducted at the end of Monday night’s game, in which the Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6, Al Shaair was seen without a helmet and with his eye protector with a strong slogan that can be read: ‘Stop genocide’.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair wore anti-Israel eyeblack last night against the Steelers that says “Stop the Genocide”
Azeez is a devout Muslim and previously wore “Free Palestine” cleats in a game.
😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/nbPNE6Cos8
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 13, 2026
Al Shaair and his Pro Palestine support
Al Shaair, a Muslim player in the NFL, He usually supports Pro-Palestine groups and it is not even the first time he has sent the message for that nation. At the end of 2024, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and after a brutal hit to Trevor Lawrence, which cost him a three-game suspension, it was possible to observe his custom shoes that drew attention to Israel’s war in Gaza. On one side of the tacos was the word “FREE”in large capital letters, the colors of the Palestinian flag. On the other side, Al-Shaair had printed figures of the Palestinians killed, injured and estimated to be under the rubble, along with a verse from the Quran: “Surely to Allah we belong and to him we will all return.”
Al Shaair spent part of his childhood in Saudi Arabiawas participating in an NFL initiative that allows players to choose a cause to highlight on their cleats, which are auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to the cause.
He is also the only active player in all four major sports leagues. men’s games (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL) among about 300 who signed the Athletes for Ceasefire petition.
Other former NFL players turned down an invitation to visit Israel, including Martellus Bennett, Cliff Avril, Kenny Stills, Carlos Hyde, Justin Forsett y Kirk Morrison. “I want to be the voice of those who cannot speak and I cannot do that with a trip to Israel,” said Michael Bennett.
Related news
Palestinian groups, such as the Islamist Hamas and Islamic Jihad, began this Tuesday in Cairo a round of talks to form a technocratic committee in order to administer the Gaza Strip y move towards the second phase of the truce in the enclave, Palestinian sources informed EFE.
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