Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wore “Free Palestine” cleats with Hamas propaganda scrawled on them during Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in which the six-year veteran was ejected for delivering a dirty hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence sustained a concussion from the hit, which sparked an on-field brawl between the division rivals. The NFL is expected to suspend Al-Shaair for the hit, though it is unclear for how long, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed that Al-Shaair’s cleats featured the word “FREE” written in the colors of the Palestinian flag. Al-Shaair wears the cleats as part of the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” program to raise money for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, according to the Houston Texans website. That fund has faced scrutiny over its partnerships with Hamas-linked groups, according to NGO Monitor.
Al-Shaair’s shoes also feature a quote from the Quran and text that states “at least 41,788 Palestinians killed,” a statistic that comes from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Al-Shaair began wearing the cleats last season, shortly after Hamas slaughtered 1,200 Israelis in the worst terrorist attack in the Jewish state’s history.
Al-Shaair, who signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Texans earlier this year, apologized to Lawrence in a message after the game, but accused his critics of racism and Islamophobia.
“To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you,” wrote Al-Shaair, who headlined his message “All Praise to Allah.”
Lawrence, an outspoken Christian, thanked fans for “praying for me,” and said he was “home and feeling better.”
The NFL did not respond to a request for comment.
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