Kyrie Irving pays NFL fine for Azeez Al-Shaair over Hind Rajab tribute
NBA star Kyrie Irving paid a $11,941 fine imposed on NFL player Azeez Al-Shaair for wearing the name of slain Palestinian child Hind Rajab on his eye black.
At a glance
- Kyrie Irving paid a $11,941 NFL fine for Azeez Al-Shaair, who wore Hind Rajab's name on his eye black.
- Al-Shaair has continued wearing names of slain Palestinian children each Sunday despite fines and threats.
- Irving called the tributes "revolutionary acts" and praised Al-Shaair's solidarity with Palestinian children.
NBA star Kyrie Irving paid a $11,941 fine imposed on NFL linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for wearing the name of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, on his eye black during a September game.
Irving, speaking after the Dallas Mavericks' 128-110 opening-night loss to the Houston Rockets, called Al-Shaair a brother and praised his "selfless act" in honoring children affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Al-Shaair, a Houston Texans linebacker, began the NFL season wearing Rajab's name on September 13. The five-year-old was killed in January 2024 after Israeli soldiers opened fire on her family's car in Gaza.
The NFL fined Al-Shaair $11,941 for the tribute. Irving responded on social media, saying he would "take care" of the fine.
"This mission is bigger than me and Azeez," Irving said. "Our strength and solidarity and how connected we are and how united we are in our efforts."
Despite the fine and reported threats of removal from games, Al-Shaair has continued wearing names of slain Palestinian children each Sunday, including Wafa Akila, sisters Lana and Bana Ahmad, Amal Abu Khater, and toddler Maryam Ghanem.
When asked about the fine, Al-Shaair said: "It's bigger to me; what's a life worth? Is a life worth $11,000? No, I think it's priceless."
Irving has been vocal in his support for Palestine, calling the tributes "revolutionary acts" that highlight the global impact of the conflict.
Source: Al Jazeera
Questions and answers
- Why did Kyrie Irving pay Azeez Al-Shaair's NFL fine?
- Irving paid the $11,941 fine to support Al-Shaair's tribute to Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, calling it a selfless act of solidarity.
- Who was Hind Rajab and why did Al-Shaair honor her?
- Hind Rajab was a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in January 2024 after Israeli soldiers opened fire on her family's car in Gaza.
- Has Al-Shaair continued his tributes after the fine?
- Yes, Al-Shaair has worn names of slain Palestinian children each Sunday, including Wafa Akila, Lana and Bana Ahmad, Amal Abu Khater, and Maryam Ghanem.
