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Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair talks fine for pro-Palestinian message on eye tape: ‘It’s bigger than me’
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Houston Texans pass rusher Azeez Al-Shaair spoke out about the fine he received for wearing a pro-Palestinian message across his eye tape during a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Al-Shaair talked to reporters outside his locker in the wake of the Texans’ loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. He was hit with a fine of $11,593 for having “Stop the genocide” emblazoned across the tape, according to ESPN.
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Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans during the national anthem before the wild-card playoff game against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
He told the media he was aware what he did would garner a fine.
“I knew that that was a fine. I understood what I was doing … I was told that if I wore that in the game, I would be pulled out the game,” he said, via ESPN. “I think that was the part that I was confused about because I understood that was a fine but I never seen Stef (Stefon Diggs) get pulled out of a game for having eye tape with writing on it.
“At the end of the day, it’s bigger than me, the things that are going on. If it makes people uncomfortable, imagine how those people feel. I think that’s the biggest thing. I have no affiliation, no connection to these people other than the fact that I’m a human being. If you have a heart and you’re a human being and you see what’s going on in the world, you check yourself real quick. Even when I’m walking off this field, that’s the type of stuff that goes on in my head. I check myself when I’m sitting here crying about football when there’s people who are dying every single day.”
The NFL rulebook states in Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 what players are allowed and not allowed to wear on game days. The rule states, “Throughout the period on game-day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.
Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans exits the field during the playoff game against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“The League will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages, through helmet decals, arm bands, jersey patches, mouthpieces, or other items affixed to game uniforms or equipment, which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns. Further, any such approved items must be modest in size, tasteful, non-commercial, and non-controversial; must not be worn for more than one football season.”
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, “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return,” was written. On the side of his other shoe, he included the number of Palestinians reportedly killed and wounded in their war with Israel.
The shoes were for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, which he also supported in 2023.
“I feel like it’s something that’s trying to be almost silenced,” Al-Shaair told the Houston Chronicle at the time. “On either side, people losing their life is not right. In no way, shape, or form am I validating anything that happened, but to consistently say that because of [Oct. 7] innocent people [in Gaza] should now die, it’s crazy.
Azeez al-Shaair of the Houston Texans shakes hands with Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers after their playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
“[Other people] try to make a disconnect and dehumanize people over there. And it’s like, they’re human beings. Being a Muslim, we see everybody the same; Black, White, Spanish, whatever you are; you can be orange, like, we’re all human beings.”
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Al-Shaair was also part of the Athletes for Ceasefire organization.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly set to bolster their defensive line with an intriguing trade involving the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
The Cowboys agreed to acquire Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rashan Gary for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick, according to multiple reports. The deal comes as the team lost out on trying to acquire Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. He was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens last week.
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Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23, 2025. (Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images)
The Packers selected Gary with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Michigan. He improved dramatically over the course of seven seasons as he started out as a defensive end, moved to linebacker and then back to the defensive line.
Gary was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 when he had 7.5 sacks, 47 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games. In 2025, Gary played in 16 games. He had 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Daniel Bartel/Imagn Images)
He signed a four-year contract extension with the Packers during the 2023 season. He will be owed $18 million in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.
Dallas was 7-9-1 in the first season with Brian Schottenheimer as the head coach. The team’s defense was shaken up before the season began when the team traded Micah Parsons to the Packers.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 26, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
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The Cowboys were 32nd in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed during the 2025 season.
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Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said the club’s president Joan Laporta scuppered the return of all-time great Lionel Messi in 2023 to avoid a power struggle.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and then two years later moved to MLS side Inter Miami.
“Leo was signed, in January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he wanted to come back,” Xavi told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia late on Sunday.
“We had the green light from La Liga (financially), but it was the president who threw it away…
“Laporta told me, word for word, that if Leo came back he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn’t allow that. And then suddenly Leo stopped answering my calls because he’d been told that it couldn’t be done.”
Xavi said everything was ready for Messi’s return, there was “no doubt” in a football sense and “we were going to do a last dance, like (former NBA star Michael) Jordan’s”.
Laporta, who resigned as president a few weeks ago to run for re-election this week, suggested Monday former coach Xavi was bitter and said Messi’s father and agent Jorge had told him the superstar had decided not to come back.
“With Xavi I saw we were going to lose and with (current coach Hansi) Flick that we will win,” Laporta said at a presidential debate Monday.
“I understand that (Xavi) is hurt — with the same players Flick wins.”
Laporta said he sent a contract to Jorge Messi who later came to his house and told him that “here there would be too much pressure” if the forward returned.
Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals and won a club-record 34 trophies at Camp Nou.
Laporta also claimed Barca rejected a 250 million euro ($288 million) offer from PSG for teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, reported to have been made in the summer of 2024.
Liverpool are ahead of Manchester United in the race to land Fulham and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson this summer, while Barcelona won’t let left back Alejandro Balde leave for a move to Old Trafford. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Fulham and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson favors a move to Liverpool over Manchester United this summer, according to TEAMtalk. Both clubs are expected to be in the market for a new left back at the end of the season, although their transfer plans may hinge upon qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. According to reports, Robinson could be available for around £25 million, as he is under contract at Fulham until June 2028. Liverpool are looking to replace Andy Robertson, while United are planning for life without Luke Shaw.
– Manchester United have been linked with Barcelona left back Alejandro Balde, but the Spanish club won’t let him depart, says Fabrizio Romano. Balde, 22, is considered a key part of Barcelona’s future, and United have signed Patrick Dorgu to play on the left side of defense already. The report claims United will move for a new left winger this summer, while they will also look for central midfielders and a possible addition at center back as well.
– Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Newcastle United right back Tino Livramento, according to Football Insider. City are keen on bolstering their options at right back, with the club yet to find a long-term replacement for former captain Kyle Walker, and Livramento looks to be their preferred option after a fine season for Newcastle. The 23-year-old England international could move for around the £70 million, although nothing has been finalized at this stage.
– Fulham are expected to “accelerate” their efforts to sign PSV and USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi, according to Fabrizio Romano. Pepi suffered a broken forearm while in action for PSV in mid-January but made a scoring return to action this weekend and is keen to move to the Premier League for next season. Fulham were close to agreeing a fee in the region of €37 million ($43.9 million) in January transfer window, but the deal was contingent on PSV finding a replacement, which they could not do.
– Arsenal are ready to send 19-year-old left back Myles Lewis-Skelly on loan ahead of next season, reports Football Insider. The England international has started just one game in the league since January and has found himself behind Piero Hincapié and Riccardo Calafiori after a breakthrough campaign last season. Everton are reported to be interested in bringing him in on a temporary basis.
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OTHER RUMORS
– Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is emerging as a standout summer option for Manchester United. (Ekrem Konur)
– Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 28, is on the shortlist of Manchester United. (Caught Offside)
– Newcastle United are showing interest in Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier, who is also wanted by Manchester United. (TEAMtalk)
– Arsenal intend to make Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié‘s loan move permanent for €52 million in June. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Newcastle want to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke. (Daily Mail)
– Netherlands international midfielder Xavi Simons could leave Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. (Nicolo Schira)
– Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Inter Milan, Bayern and Dortmund are battling to sign Al Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby. (Fussball-Daten)
– Callum Wilson has agreed to sign a one-year contract extension at West Ham United. The 34-year-old striker is now expected to stay at the club until June 2027. (Telegraph)
– Atlético Madrid chiefs are divided over whether they should make Nicolás González‘s loan transfer from Juventus permanent. The Spanish giants can do so for €32 million this summer. (Calciomercato)
– AC Milan are weighing up a move for Manchester City defender Nathan Aké. The Netherlands international could be available for a cut-price transfer fee, with his current deal expiring in 2027. (Calciomercato)
– Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Rocco Reitz, 23, has reached an agreement to join RB Leipzig. (Sky Germany)
– Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli is getting closer to extending his contract at the club, after rejecting the advances of several Premier League sides. (Nicolo Schira)
– Atlético Madrid are keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen youngster Ibrahim Maza, who could be available for around €35 million. (Ekrem Konur)
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