Kyrie Irving Offers to Pay NFL Fine for Player's Pro-Palestine Message

NBA player Kyrie Irving has offered to pay the $11,492 fine levied against Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for an unauthorized message on his eye black.

Al-Shaair had written “Hind Rajab” beneath his eyes during the Texans' recent game. Rajab was a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who, along with six relatives, was killed in Gaza in January 2024. The NFL prohibits players from displaying personal messages on game-day equipment without prior approval, regardless of the message's viewpoint.

This is not the first time Al-Shaair has been fined for similar messages. In January, the NFL fined him $11,593 for displaying “Stop the Genocide” on his eye black during a playoff game. He had previously worn the message “Save Gaza” during warmups but removed it after being informed he could be prevented from playing.

Al-Shaair has spoken about his advocacy, stating that civilian suffering in Gaza puts his own football frustrations into perspective. Irving, who converted to Islam in 2021, has publicly supported Palestinians, sharing messages about Palestinian children and wearing shirts honoring journalists killed in Gaza. He has also observed Ramadan while playing in the NBA.

Irving's offer to cover Al-Shaair's fine continues his pattern of public support for Palestinian causes, using his platform and financial resources to stand with the linebacker's message.