Wild Card Blowout Takes a Turn After Texans Linebacker Makes Political Statement

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair injected Middle East politics into Sunday’s Wild Card blowout by writing “stop the genocide” across his eye black during the team’s 30-6 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Houston’s defense dominated the game, burying quarterback Aaron Rodgers with four sacks, forcing a fumble and scoring on a pick-six as the Texans cruised into the next round. But it was Al-Shaair’s on-field message, visible during a postgame SportsCenter interview with Scott Van Pelt, that quickly drew attention. With his helmet off, the slogan was plainly visible, echoing language widely used by pro-Palestinian activist groups in response to Israel’s war with Hamas. The current war began after Hamas carried out a surprise terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing civilians...