Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wore eye black inscribed with the phrase “Stop the Genocide” during and after his team’s dominant 30-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Wild Card playoff round.

The message, clearly visible during a postgame interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter alongside teammate Will Anderson Jr., appeared to reference the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Human rights organizations and a United Nations commission have described Israeli actions as genocidal. Israel contends they are replying to the October 7th terrorist attack with righteous, overwhelming force against a terrorist organization.

Al-Shaair was a key cog in the Texans’ dominant defensive performance. He recorded six tackles, three of them solo, and one for a loss of yardage.

Houston Texans LB & devout Muslim, Azeez Al-Shaair wore anti-Israel eyeblack tonight vs Steelers that says “Stop the Genocide”

Al-Shaair, one of the league’s dirtiest players, has also worn “Free Palestine” cleats in a game.

A player openly supporting Hamas is a bad look… pic.twitter.com/hmU68t9jsK

— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) January 13, 2026

Azeez Al-Shaair ‘Stop the Genocide’ Eye Black Causes a Stir

The eye black message came into sharp focus during the nationally televised interview, where Al-Shaair discussed the team’s defensive performance without verbally addressing the slogan.

Reactions to the statement have been polarized. Supporters, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), praised Al-Shaair for his courage in highlighting what they describe as a humanitarian crisis.

Critics, however, viewed the message as controversial or misplaced. Sports writer Armando Salguero noted the slogan’s association with pro-Palestinian groups targeting Israel.

“Azeez Al-Shaair, who is Muslim, wears eye black during his national postgame interview on ESPN that reads ‘Stop the Genocide,’ a common protest slogan of pro-Palestinian groups aimed against Israel,” he wrote on X.

The Jerusalem Post described the eye black as Azeez Al-Shaair’s “loudest form of advocacy yet,” noting that he has “long been a vocal pro-Palestinian advocate,” and that such a politically charged message on an NFL broadcast is unusual.

Guess Political Messages Are Cool Again

Al-Shaair, a devout Muslim and vocal advocate for Palestinian causes, has a history of using his platform to highlight the issue. Last year, he participated in the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative by wearing custom cleats emblazoned with “Free Palestine” in the colors of the Palestinian flag, along with a Quranic verse and statistics on reported casualties in Gaza.

“Given the recent events in Israel and Gaza, this nonprofit provides medical aid and essential supplies to children injured and left homeless by the bombings in Gaza,” he said about the charity.

The 2023 attacks on Israel saw Hamas murder more than 1,200 innocent men, women, and children — including 46 Americans — at the Nova music festival.

Last season, Nick Bosa was fined by the NFL for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat postgame.

The Texans’ big win over the Steelers has propelled them to the AFC Divisional Round against the New England Patriots.