# Texans star fined again for protest on eye black

> Azeez Al-Shaair paid $11,492 for wearing a Palestinian girl's name on his uniform during Week 1.
- Title: Texans star fined again for protest on eye black · Newsweek
- Summary: Azeez Al-Shaair paid $11,492 for wearing a Palestinian girl's name on his uniform during Week 1. The NFL continues to fine players for unauthorized political…
- Keywords: azeez al-shaair, houston texans, nfl fines, eye black message, hind rajab, palestine, pro bowl, unauthorized gear, protest, week 1, Texans, star
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/sports/nfl/controversial-texans-pro-bowler-hit-with-nfl-punishment-after-season-opener-12450496
- Author: Michael Gallagher
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: azeez al-shaair, houston texans, nfl fines, eye black message, hind rajab, palestine, pro bowl, unauthorized gear, protest, week 1
## Star linebacker fined for eye black
Houston Texans Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,492 by the NFL for wearing an unauthorized message on his eye black during Sunday's season opener against Buffalo.
## He wrote a girl's name
Al-Shaair wore 'Hind Rajab' on his eye black, honoring a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed with her family by Israeli military in January 2024.
## Second fine in nine months
This is Al-Shaair's second eye black fine since January. He was fined $11,593 in a playoff game for wearing 'Stop the Genocide' on his gear.
## He defends his message
Al-Shaair said the suffering of others is bigger than football and that he feels compelled to speak up about what's happening in the world.

> At the end of the day, it's bigger than me. If you have a heart and you're a human being you can see what's going on in the world.
## A pattern of fines
Al-Shaair has been fined 12 times in his seven-plus year NFL career, including multiple fines for helmet use, late hits, and now unauthorized messages.
## Key takeaway

The NFL continues to fine players for unauthorized political messages on their gear, even when worn to honor victims of conflict.