NBA star Kyrie Irving has pledged to pay the fine levied against Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for honoring Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child killed in Gaza.
The National Football League fined Al-Shaair $11,941 on Wednesday for violating league uniform policies during the Texans’ game against the Buffalo Bills last weekend. Al-Shaair had inscribed Rajab’s name on his eye black, the glare-reducing strips worn beneath players’ eyes.
Shortly after the penalty was reported, Irving responded on social media, stating he would “take care” of the financial penalty. The nine-time NBA All-Star has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, previously wearing a “PRESS” jersey to honor journalists killed in Gaza and displaying Palestinian symbols during public appearances.
Five-year-old Hind Rajab was killed when Israeli forces fired on her family’s vehicle in Gaza. Her final moments, captured in a phone call with the Palestinian Red Crescent, drew international attention and became the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary.
Al-Shaair, a Muslim American athlete, has consistently used his platform to advocate for Palestinians. In January, he was fined for writing “Stop The Genocide” on his nose tape during the previous NFL season.
League Faces Backlash Over ‘Inhumane’ Penalty
The NFL’s decision has sparked widespread criticism. Critics have highlighted an apparent double standard, noting the league observed a moment of silence for Israel during a London game in October 2023 while sanctioning a player for acknowledging a Palestinian victim.
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, recently acknowledged pressuring singer Ed Sheeran to remove rapper Macklemore from a tour stop at Gillette Stadium, citing the artist’s pro-Palestine stance. Kraft previously distributed “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” pins to Patriots personnel during the Gaza conflict.
Prominent voices condemned the fine against Al-Shaair. Scholar Omar Suleiman questioned whether a player honoring Holocaust victim Anne Frank would face similar discipline. The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement supporting Al-Shaair, arguing his message reflected “basic human decency” and contrasting the league’s tolerance for Kraft’s campaign pins with its punishment of Palestinian advocacy.
Irving’s History of Advocacy
Irving’s offer aligns with his established record of activism. In February, he wore a shirt reading “PRESS” at the NBA All-Star Game dedicated to journalists killed in Gaza. He has also displayed Palestinian imagery on social media and wore a keffiyeh during a 2023 post-game press conference.
