Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wore the names of Palestinian sisters Lana and Bana Ahmad on his eye black during a September 27 game against the Indianapolis Colts to honor children killed in Gaza. Al-Shaair continued the tribute despite previous NFL sanctions, including a $11,491 fine for similar equipment violations during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Al-Shaair Honors Lana and Bana Ahmad Despite NFL Sanctions
Azeez Al-Shaair used the eye black—the adhesive strips players wear to reduce glare—to display the names of 12-year-old Lana and 8-year-old Bana Ahmad. The sisters were killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. Before the game against the Indianapolis Colts, Al-Shaair posted a photo to Instagram showing the inscribed tape alongside his cleats, which featured the flags of Palestine and Sudan.
This gesture is part of a recurring pattern for the Black Muslim linebacker, who has used his platform to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Al-Shaair wore the name of Wafa Akila, an 8-year-old girl killed while returning home with her father in western Gaza. On September 13, he wore the name of Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old who was killed by Israeli gunfire in January 2024 after becoming trapped in a car with her family.
Financial Penalties and Support from Kyrie Irving
The NFL has previously penalized Al-Shaair for violating league rules regarding player uniforms and equipment. Following the game against the Buffalo Bills, the league fined the linebacker $11,491 for the tribute to Hind Rajab. In response to the penalty, NBA star Kyrie Irving offered to pay the fine on Al-Shaair’s behalf. Al-Shaair later confirmed he had been in contact with the nine-time NBA All-Star.
Al-Shaair told reporters he is not deterred by the financial costs of these tributes. “There are values more important to me than that,” Al-Shaair said. “What is the value of a life? Is a life worth only $11,000? No. I believe life is a precious thing that cannot be replaced by anything.”
League Policy and Political Criticism
The conflict between Al-Shaair’s tributes and league regulations has escalated beyond fines. Reports indicate that Al-Shaair was notified he would not be permitted to play in a game unless he removed eye black featuring the names of deceased Palestinian children.
This enforcement drew criticism from U.S. Democratic politician Isaiah Martin. Writing on X, Martin described the threat of removing a player from a game over such a gesture as “insane” and “unacceptable.” Martin argued that the action did not harm anyone and stated that while the fine was “ridiculous,” the threat of ejection was an excessive response to a league rule.
Al-Shaair’s history of protest extends back to January of the previous NFL season, when he wore tape on his nose with the phrase “Stop The Genocide!” While the text did not name a specific conflict, it was widely interpreted as a reference to the situations in Gaza and Sudan. That action also resulted in a league fine.
Humanitarian Context in Gaza
The tributes worn by Al-Shaair reflect a broader crisis reported by health officials in the region. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 21,500 children have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023.
Beyond the death toll, the infrastructure for children has been largely decimated. Reports indicate that 90% of schools in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, severely limiting educational opportunities for approximately 660,000 children in the territory.
