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Kyrie Irving Offers to Pay Azeez Al-Shaair's Fine for Tribute to Palestinian Girl
Confirmed
In Short: Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has pledged to cover the $11,492 fine imposed on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for displaying the name of a slain Palestinian girl on his eye black.
Al-Shaair was fined $11,492 for writing the name of Hind Rajab on his eye black, according to reports. The tribute was made during Houston’s 36-31 loss on September 13, referencing a Palestinian girl who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in January 2024.
Irving, who has been vocal about his support for Palestinian causes, reacted to the news by offering to pay the entire fine. "I'll take care of his fine," Irving wrote on X, according to BasketNews.com. This gesture follows his public embrace of Islam in 2021 and his ongoing charitable initiatives.
The incident has drawn attention to the intersection of sports and political activism. Al-Shaair’s act of tribute was seen as a bold statement, while Irving’s offer to pay the fine highlights the personal and financial implications of such actions in professional sports.
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Texans are set to have a new dynamic on the court with Irving and Al-Shaair, who have yet to play together. Irving and Flagg, the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, are expected to form a highly anticipated duo next season, according to reports from College Sports Network.
What's confirmed
- Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has offered to pay the fine issued to Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he displayed an unauthorized message during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills.
What's still developing
- Irving publicly embraced Islam in 2021 during his time with the Brooklyn Nets and has since frequently spoken about his faith while also expressing support for Palestinian causes and participating in various charitable initiatives.
- The league announced an $11,492 fine for Al-Shaair for sharing his political stance publicly during an NFL game.
- NBA reporter Mark Medina talked to Flagg’s trainer, Matt MacKenzie, who revealed how the two stars were working on their chemistry: Cooper Flagg’s trainer, Matt MacKenzie on Coop & Kyrie working out together this offseason: Irving and Flagg will be one of the most highly anticipated duos next season.
- Home » Kyrie Irving Pledges to Pay Azeez Al-Shaair’s,492 NFL Fine Following Hind Rajab Tribute Kyrie Irving has promised to pay the fine imposed by the NFL on middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for his political stance.
- The Houston Texans player wore a black patch under his eyes on Sunday in the team’s game against the Buffalo Bills as a tribute to Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli military fire along with her family of six on Jan.
- Irving, who is also known to have taken a similar stance in supporting the Palestinian cause, shared his wish to pay the fine on the Texans’ middle linebacker on X on Wednesday: Irving has been one of the most vocal players in the league and paying Al-Shaair’s NFL fine was one of his ways to show support for the Palestinians.
- Kyrie offers to pay Al-Shaair’s fine for tribute to slain Palestinian girl | ESPN La Crosse 105.5 You are using an outdated browser.
- Yet, Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving did exactly that Wednesday, Sept.