Kyrie Irving offers to pay NFL player's fine as Palestine solidarity defies corporate pressure
Kyrie Irving offers to pay NFL player's fine as Palestine solidarity defies corporate pressure Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 09/17/2026 - 18:53 NBA star’s backing of Azeez al-Shaair comes as stars appear increasingly willing to accept financial and professional losses for speaking out on Palestine NFL has fined Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al-Shaair $11,492 for wearing eye black inscribed…
NBA star Kyrie Irving has pledged to cover the fine imposed on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al-Shaair after the NFL player wore eye black inscribed with the name of a Palestinian child killed in Gaza. Shaair was fined $11,492 for displaying what the NFL classified as an unauthorized personal message during the team's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Irving's offer to pay the fine was met with widespread support, highlighting a trend of prominent athletes refusing to back down from their stance on Palestine despite pressure from powerful institutions in the sports and entertainment industries. Shaair has previously worn tape with the message "Stop the Genocide" and cleats supporting the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.
His message of simply writing Hind Rajab's name, who was killed in Gaza in 2024, has gained significant attention.
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