Azeez Al-Shaair’s Stance for Palestine Amidst NFL Spotlight
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair made headlines during ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast when viewers noticed his eye black carried the message “Stop the genocide.” This public statement, likely referencing the Israel-Palestine conflict, is just the latest in Al-Shaair’s ongoing advocacy for Palestinian people. In an era where athletes are increasingly using their platform for social causes, Al-Shaair stands out for his consistent commitment to raising awareness about a conflict that continues to divide public opinion worldwide.
His advocacy extends beyond simple gestures like eye black. Earlier in the 2024 season, Al-Shaair participated in the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign by wearing custom shoes supporting the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. The cleats featured “Free” written alongside the colors of the Palestinian flag, with one shoe bearing the Arabic phrase “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return.” The other shoe displayed statistics about Palestinians reportedly killed and wounded during the conflict with Israel. This wasn’t his first time supporting this cause—he had backed the same organization in 2023, showing his long-term commitment to this humanitarian issue rather than a momentary political statement.
In speaking about his advocacy with the Houston Chronicle, Al-Shaair expressed frustration about what he perceives as attempts to silence discussion about Palestinian suffering. “I feel like it’s something that’s trying to be almost silenced,” he explained. “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.” His comments reflect a nuanced position that condemns violence while highlighting the humanity of civilians caught in conflict. As a Muslim, Al-Shaair emphasized that his perspective is grounded in seeing everyone equally: “Being a Muslim, we see everybody the same; Black, White, Spanish, whatever you are; you can be orange, like, we’re all human beings.”
The NFL linebacker’s activism extends beyond individual statements. Al-Shaair joined Athletes for Ceasefire, an organization comprising various sports figures advocating for peace in the region. His public stance has not come without controversy. During a game when he wore his Palestine-supporting cleats, Al-Shaair made a tackle on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence that resulted in a concussion and his ejection from the game. The timing of this incident led to significant online backlash. In his subsequent apology for the hit, Al-Shaair also addressed what he described as “racist and Islamophobic fans and people” who had targeted him online, highlighting the complex intersection of sports, politics, and personal identity that athletes navigating advocacy often face.
On the field, Al-Shaair has been a significant contributor to the Texans’ success. In their recent playoff game, Houston staged an impressive comeback against the Pittsburgh Steelers, scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter to secure a 30-6 victory. This win advances the Texans to the AFC divisional round, where they will face the Patriots in New England. The juxtaposition of Al-Shaair’s professional success alongside his outspoken advocacy demonstrates the evolving role of athletes in American society—no longer just sports figures but individuals whose platforms extend well beyond the playing field.
Al-Shaair’s continued advocacy raises important questions about the role of political expression in professional sports. While the NFL has traditionally tried to maintain political neutrality as an organization, individual players increasingly view their visibility as an opportunity to highlight causes they believe deserve attention. For Al-Shaair, the Palestinian cause clearly represents more than a passing interest—it’s a humanitarian concern that he has consistently championed despite potential controversy. As athletes like Al-Shaair continue to speak out on divisive issues, they challenge both sports organizations and fans to consider whether the boundary between athletics and advocacy should be maintained or whether these platforms might serve a broader purpose in raising awareness about global humanitarian concerns.
