NFL Linebacker Forced to Remove Tribute to Palestinian Girl From His Eye Black: Report

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al-Shaair (0) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)

An NFL linebacker was forced to remove a tribute to a slain Palestinian girl after he included her name in his eye black, according to a report.

It was the second tribute to slain Palestinian children in two weeks by Azeez Al-Shaair, who plays for the Houston Texans.

According to The Athletic:

Al-Shaair began the Texans’ Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals with the name Wafaa Akila written on his eyeblack. After it was spotted by a league official, Al-Shaair was informed he would have to remove it or he would not be permitted to continue playing in the game, according to a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

While Al-Shaair was fined $11,941 in Week 1, the source told The Athletic he was not fined in Week 2.

During Week 1, Al-Shaair recognized Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old slain in Gaza in January 2024, whose death sparked an outcry after the dramatic details of her killing emerged.

He wrote Rajab’s name in white across his eye black for a Sept. 13 game against the Buffalo Bills and was fined $11,941, a source told the outlet.

But by Week 2, Al-Shaair again included the name of another dead Palestinian girl in his eye black.

This time, he paid tribute to Wafaa Akila, an 8-year-old slain in Gaza by Israeli forces, according to reports.

This time a league official during the Sept. 20 game against the Cincinnati Bengals warned Al-Shaair to remove the name or stop playing in the game, according to the report.

He chose to remove the name, The Athletic reported.

The NFL could not immediately be reached for comment.

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