NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
While being interviewed by ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” team, it was revealed that Azeez Al-Shaair had a message he wanted to share.
The Houston Texans linebacker was spotted with black eyes that read “Stop the Genocide.”
The message likely related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Azeez al-Shaair of the Houston Texans shakes hands with Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers after an NFL playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Al-Shaair has supported Palestinians in the past, including wearing “Free Palestine” cleats for the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign during the 2024 season.
Al-Shaair had “Free” written on one side of his shoes in the colors of the Palestinian flag. On one shoe it was written: “To Allah we belong and to Him we will all return.” On the side of his other shoe was the number of Palestinians reportedly killed and injured in their war with Israel.
The shoes were intended for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, which he also supported in 2023.
“I feel like it’s something that we’re almost trying to silence,” Al-Shaair told the Houston Chronicle at the time. “One way or the other, it’s not right that people are losing their lives. In no way am I validating anything that happened, but I constantly say that because of [Oct. 7] innocent people [in Gaza] should now die, it’s crazy.
“[Other people] try to create a disconnect and dehumanize the people there. And it’s like they’re human beings. As a Muslim, we see everyone the same; Black, White, Spanish, whatever you are; you can be orange, like we’re all human beings.
Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans talks to his teammates before kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wild Card playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
NFL ANALYTICS VENTURE, FOUNDED BY NFL DRAW, CLOSES SERIES B INVESTMENT ROUND
Al-Shaair was also part of the Athletes for Ceasefire organization, alongside several other athletes.
During the match, while wearing Palestine cleats, Al-Shaair made a tackle on Trevor Lawrence which left him with a concussion, causing a violent reaction and ejection. In a statement apologizing for the stunt, he lashed out at “racist and Islamophobic fans and people” for attacking him online.
December 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, United States; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides past Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) in the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
The Al-Shaair Texans scored 23 points in the fourth quarter Monday to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 and advance to the AFC Divisional Round. They will face the Patriots in New England on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
