Texans Make Big Announcement Before Chiefs Game

Ahead of the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys to kick off Week 14, all 32 NFL teams announced their club winners for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Al-Shaair was the Texans' choice.

"A true leader on and off the field," the Texans said in an announcement on social media. "We’re proud to celebrate Azeez Al-Shaair, our Club Winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award."

As the club winner, Al-Shaair will wear a special helmet decal for the rest of the 2025 season and receive up to a $40,000 donation to the charity of his choice. He is one of the 32 players eligible to win the NFL's most prestigious award, which will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 5.

"Azeez represents everything it means to be a Houston Texan," Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair said. "His leadership and generosity shine in everything he does, whether he's elevating our defense on the field or investing his time and heart into others off the field. Azeez makes our team and our community better, and we're incredibly proud to recognize him as our Walter Payton Man of the Year."

Al-Shaair's impact in the Houston community is seen through his work with the local United Way and the Houston Texans Community Huddle Ticket Program. Giving back to children in the community is important to Al-Shaair because of his own experiences growing up and the values his mother instilled in him.

"It means everything to me because when I see these kids, I just see myself," Al-Shaair said. "I went through the same highs and lows to get to where I am today, but I'm here because of all the hard work and things I endured to get here. I just want to give people hope."

In his second year with the Texans, Al-Shaair has started all 12 games this season. He leads the way with 79 total tackles for a Houston defense that ranks first in the league in total defense (265.7 yards allowed per game) and scoring defense (16.5 points allowed per game).

He will have to be watchful over the middle for Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who was named Kansas City's club winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The Chiefs-Texans game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC and Peacock.