Sports

NFL Player Azeez Al‑Shaair Continues to Honor Palestinian Child on Eyeblack

By Al Jazeera Staff

Azeez Al‑Shaair, a 29‑year‑old Black American Muslim player for the Houston Texans, has once again used his eyeblack to honor a Palestinian child. On Sunday, during the Texans’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Al‑Shaair displayed the name Maryam Ghanem on the black tape across his nose. Ghanem, a 2½‑year‑old girl from Gaza, survived an Israeli strike that destroyed her home in the Remal neighbourhood of Gaza City on Wednesday. She witnessed her mother burn alive and was later identified as the sole survivor of her family. Ghanem was taken to a hospital for treatment of severe burns.

Al‑Shaair has been doing this for five consecutive weeks, each Sunday wearing a different name to draw attention to the killings of Palestinians during Israel’s ongoing conflict. He first wore the name Hind Rajab, a five‑year‑old girl killed by Israeli soldiers on January 29, 2024, on September 13. The NFL fined him $11,491 for breaching its code of conduct on player clothing and equipment during a game against the Buffalo Bills. Basketball star Kyrie Irving offered to pay the fine, and Al‑Shaair confirmed he had spoken with Irving.

When questioned about the fine, Al‑Shaair said, “It’s bigger to me; what’s a life worth? Is a life worth $11,000? No, I think it’s priceless.” He remains undeterred, continuing to raise awareness by wearing a name each week.

Prominent American Muslim scholar Omar Suleiman has publicly supported Al‑Shaair, praising his use of his Pro Bowl platform to honor Palestinian children. The NFL’s fine came amid other controversies, including owner Robert Kraft’s pressure on pop star Ed Sheeran to remove rapper Macklemore from a tour.