Once again, a week after being fined by the NFL for writing Hing Rajab's name on his eye black, Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has written the name of another Palestinian child who was killed on his eye black: Wafaa Akila.
Al-Shaair had Akila's name on his eye black during the Texans' Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Akila was killed on her first day of school in an Israeli strike in Gaza on Sep. 6.
It's unknown whether or not the NFL will fine the linebacker. Regardless, don't expect a fine to stop him. The NFL previously fined him over $22,000 for his messages on his eye black. He wrote “STOP THE GENOCIDE” on his eye black during the Texans' playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2026. He followed that up by writing Rajab's name on his eye black in Week 1. The fines have caused a stir, as NBA player Kyrie Irving offered to cover the Week 1 fine.
The Texans are 0-2 in Al-Shaair's third season with the team. He has had a decent individual start to the season, logging 20 total tackles (11 solo, nine assists).
Unlike their Week 1 game, the Texans were not close to winning their Week 2 game. They lost 20-6 to the Bengals despite CJ Stroud throwing for 353 yards.
Joe Burrow got cooking after a slow start. He connected with Ja'Marr Chase on a deep ball touchdown that ignited the offense. He finished the game with 207 yards and two touchdowns (both to Chase). Tee Higgins added another 95 receiving yards.
The Texans had no run game against the Bengals. This resulted in Stroud throwing 55 passes, completing 30 of them. Additionally, he led the team with 29 rushing yards. They are hoping to rebound in Week 3 when they play the Indianapolis Colts, who are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.