The NFL required Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to remove an inscription from his eyeblack during the team’s Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. An official noticed the name Wafaa Akila after the game began and warned Al-Shaair and the Texans that he could be removed from the contest if he did not erase it.
He removed the marking and finished the game without eyeblack.
The action came after the league fined Al-Shaair $11,492 in Week 1 for displaying Hind Rajab’s name. The source described Rajab as a Palestinian girl who died during a bombing in Gaza. Al-Shaair did not challenge that penalty.
The NFL bars players from showing personal messages on game day, and it has previously warned players, including Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon and players with customized cleats, that they could be kept out of games if they refused to remove such messages.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Kei'Trel Clark was fined last week for putting “Glory B 2 God” on his eyeblack. Al-Shaair, who is Muslim, also received an $11,593 fine in January for writing “Stop the Genocide.” Asked about that penalty, he said, “What’s a life worth? ... Is a life worth $11,000?
