The Houston Texans are trying to lock in for their Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots. However, Texans team captain, 2025 Pro Bowler, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair got some bad news just hours before kickoff.
Al-Shaair is in his second season with the Texans, whom he joined in 2024, following his former position coach and defensive coordinator, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Al-Shaair is no stranger to running afoul of the leagueâs code of conduct on the field.
Texansâ Azeez Al-Shaair Disciplined by NFL
GettyAzeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What sets this instance apart for Al-Shaair and the Texans, is that the NFLâs decision was not a result of anything he did between the white lines, but beforehand.
ESPNâs Adam Schefter reported on X on January 18.âSource: Texansâ LB Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,593 for a violation of the NFL uniform and equipment rules for wearing eye black that contained a personal message during last weekâs Wild Card game
âStop the genocide,â Al-Shaair wrote.
The phrase is in reference to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Al-Shaair, who is Muslim, is one of several overtly religious members of the Texans.
That group includes several Christians, like Ryansâwho begins every postgame press conference with a message thanking Godâdefensive end Will Anderson Jr., and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Anderson has spoken about the bond he and Al-Shaair share in light of their denominations.
However, the subject matter has been a polarizing topic for decades, with Al-Shaairâs moment just the latest in a string of developments.
Al-Shaair seemingly avoided the weekly sweep of fines that the NFL dishes out. He was absent from their weekly report, which noted that Pittsburgh Steelers special teams ace Ben Skoronek received a fine for âunsportsmanlike conductâ on Texans wideout Jaylin Noel.
As they often do, fining players over infractions that were not called, the NFL used its discretion.
NFL in Azeez Al-Shaairâs Pockets
GettyAzeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans celebrates against the Buffalo Bills.
This officially marks the 11th fine of the season for the Texans, and the fourth for Al-Shaair individually.
He was first docked $17,389 for roughing the passer on Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward in Week 4. Then, the NFL fined Al-Shaair another $17,389 for a hit on a defenseless player against Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins.
Most recently, Al-Shaair was fined $23,186 for impermissible use of the helmet in Week 13.
That was for a play during which he engaged Los Angeles Chargers fullback Scott Matlock, but, in the NFLâs view, led with the crown of his helmet.
In total, Al-Shaair has now been fined $69,557. That is roughly 4.6% of his $1.5 million base salary for 2025. Al-Shaair is signed through the 2026 season on a three-year, $34 million contract and could be an extension candidate this coming offseason.
How his consistent run-ins with the league office might affect that is unclear.
What is clear, though, is that the Texans appreciate what Al-Shaair has brought to the team. They have even stuck staunchly beside him through some of his biggest tribulations.
All of that will come after Al-Shaair and the Texans complete their postseason run. They hope that it is not until after they hoist the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history as Super Bowl champions.
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