'I'll Take Care of His Fine': Kyrie Irving Vows to Cover Azeez Al-Shaair's $11K Fine for Hind Rajab Tribute

Kyrie Irving has offered to pay Azeez Al-Shaair's $11,492 (£8,500) NFL fine after the Houston Texans linebacker wore the name Hind Rajab, the five-year-old Palestinian girl who died in Gaza in 2024, on his eye black during a game against the Buffalo Bills.

Irving made the offer on Wednesday, 16 September, after a report emerged about Al-Shaair's latest NFL penalty for a uniform violation.

Kyrie Irving Offers To Pay Al-Shaair's Fine

Al-Shaair had 'Hind Rajab' written across the black strips beneath his eyes during Houston's 36-31 defeat by Buffalo on Sunday, 13 September. The message referred to Rajab, who died after the vehicle carrying her family came under fire in Gaza City in January 2024.

Irving responded to the report with six words on X: 'I'll take care of his fine.'

Al-Shaair was fined $11,492 (£8,500) for displaying an unauthorised personal message. NFL rules prohibit players from wearing, displaying or otherwise conveying personal messages visible to the stadium or television audience unless they have been approved in advance by the league.

The fine was issued under the league's rules on unauthorised personal messages, rather than explicitly for the subject of the tribute. Al-Shaair was one of four Texans players fined following the defeat.

Al-Shaair's Fine Not the First Time

The latest punishment is not Al-Shaair's first over an eye-black message. He was fined $11,593 (£8,663) in January during the NFL play-offs after displaying 'Stop the genocide' on his eye black during Houston's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The linebacker also attempted to use the same message before a subsequent play-off game against the New England Patriots. He later said he had been warned he could be removed from the game if he displayed it again.

Al-Shaair has previously used the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats initiative to support the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. He also travelled to Jordan in July with the Human Development Fund, where he met children and families affected by the conflict.

About Hind Rajab

Hind Rajab was a five-year-old Palestinian girl who died in Gaza City in January 2024 after the vehicle carrying her family came under fire. Her body was later recovered alongside those of relatives and two Palestinian ambulance workers who had been sent to rescue her.

Her death has received international attention, including through reporting and documentary work examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In August 2026, the Israeli military acknowledged that its forces had opened fire on the vehicle and said it had launched a criminal investigation.

Al-Shaair's decision to write Rajab's name on his eye black drew renewed attention to her case, while his NFL fine focused on the league's rules governing unauthorised personal messages.

Kyrie Irving's Support For Palestine

Irving has previously expressed support for Palestinians, including by wearing a 'PRESS' shirt at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in support of journalists in Gaza.

His latest post did not comment on the NFL's rule or challenge the disciplinary decision. Instead, Irving simply said he would cover Al-Shaair's fine.

The NFL penalty remains against Al-Shaair, while Irving's post indicates that he intends to cover the financial cost. The Dallas Mavericks star made the offer after reports of Al-Shaair's fine circulated online.

For now, Irving's post is an offer to cover the fine rather than confirmation that he has already paid it.