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NFL Player Wears 'Free Palestine' Cleats At Practice

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 7:47 PM ET

Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine, some NFL players are making their political convictions clear in camp.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was wearing "Free Palestine" cleats as the team opened training camp this week. On top of having the letters done in the same color as the Palestine flag, he also had numbers for people killed in the conflict.

It's the second year in a row that Al-Shaair has worn cleats like this. It's also closing in on two years since the October 7 attacks that kicked off the ongoing war.

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair wearing his “FREE PALESTINE” cleats.

He debuted them last season. pic.twitter.com/F8jTXHf2Lr
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelV) July 24, 2025

As with just about anything relating to the conflict, there have been polarizing reactions to his act of political support. Palestinian supporters are praising Al-Shaair while supporters of Israel are vehemently against him wearing them.

"They called this guy a dirty player last year. I honestly never believed it, the man got heart!" one user declared.

"Azeez Al-Shaair should be banned from the NFL for wearing pro-terrorist cleats," one user wrote.

"Everyone should be supporting Azeez. He's the only NFL athlete speaking up for Palestine," a third wrote.

"I like Azeez again," one added.

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Azeez Al-Shaair became a polarizing figure for his conduct on the field in 2024 as well. Last season he was fined multiple times by the league for illegal hits.

One of those illegal hits came against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He his Lawrence as the QB was sliding, causing Lawrence a concussion that knocked him out of the game and ultimately the rest of the season. Al-Shaair was subsequently suspended for three games.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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