Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair reportedly removed a pro-Palestinian message from his eyeblack during a game after an NFL official warned he would be taken out if he kept it. The incident highlights the league’s longstanding ban on players displaying personal messages during games, regardless of the political or religious viewpoint expressed.

Al-Shaair had previously been fined $11,492 for writing the name of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child killed in Gaza, on his eyeblack, and had also received an $11,593 fine for the slogan “Stop the Genocide”. During the following week’s game against Cincinnati, he initially wore the name Wafaa Akila before removing it and playing without eyeblack. The NFL has similarly required other players to remove personalised headwear, cleats or messages, arguing that consistent rules prevent unrestricted individual messaging on the field.