Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair removed an inscription from his eyeblack during the team’s Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals after an NFL official warned that he could be removed from the contest if he kept it. He then played the remainder of the game without eyeblack.
Al-Shaair had written the name Wafaa Akila on his eyeblack before the game. The marking was still visible when the game began, but an NFL official later noticed it and told the Texans and Al-Shaair that it had to be taken off.
The incident followed an $11,492 fine Al-Shaair received in Week 1 for writing Hind Rajab’s name on his eyeblack. The source said Rajab was a Palestinian girl whose death occurred during a bombing in Gaza. Al-Shaair did not appeal that fine.
The NFL prohibits players from displaying personal messages during game day. The league has previously warned players, including Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon and players who wore customized cleats, that they could be barred from playing if they did not remove personalized messages. Arizona Cardinals defensive back Kei'Trel Clark was fined last week after writing “Glory B 2 God” on his eyeblack.
