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Azeez Al-Shaair (/ælˈʃaɪər/al-SHIRE, Arabic: عزيز الشاعر, born August 4, 1997) is an American professional footballlinebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls, where he received First-team All C-USA in 2017.
Al-Shaair was born in Tampa, Florida. As a young child, he moved back and forth between Tampa and Saudi Arabia, where his father worked as an English instructor, but would stop living there after his parents divorced. He lived in Section 8 housing and became homeless as a sophomore in high school after his home burned down. He commuted two hours by bus from a motel to Hillsborough High School, where he played football.[1] As a senior, he made 126 tackles with 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries and also blocked six field goals and a blocked punt and was named first-team All-County.[2] Al-Shaair committed to play college football at Florida Atlantic University going into his senior year, but continued to go on recruiting visits in order to help feed his family.[3]
Al-Shaair was a four-year starter at linebacker for the Florida Atlantic Owls. As a freshman, Al-Shaair was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and named a Freshman All-American after recording a team-leading 94 tackles (7.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, two passes broken up and a forced fumble.[4] He again led the Owls in tackles as a sophomore with 113 tackles (12 for loss), and returned an interception for a touchdown and was named as an honorable mention All-Conference USA.[5] As a junior, Al-Shaair led Conference USA with 147 tackles (11 for loss) along with 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed and a forced fumble and was named first-team all conference. He entered his senior year on the Butkus Award watchlist but tore his ACL in a practice in October, ending his final season with just six games.[6][7]
Al-Shaair was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.[11] Al-Shaair made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing exclusively on special teams and making two tackles in the 31-17 road victory.[12] The 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 31–20.[13] He did not appear in any postseason games. Al-Shaair played in 15 games with four starts as a rookie, making 18 tackles.[14]
In Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football in 2020, Al-Shaair recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Carson Wentz during the 25–20 loss.[15]
Al-Shaair entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker for the 49ers. He started 13 games, finishing second on the team with 102 tackles, along with two sacks, five passes defensed, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.[16]
On March 15, 2022, the 49ers placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Al-Shaair.[17] He was placed on injured reserve with an MCL sprain on October 3, 2022.[18] He was activated on November 12.[19]
On March 20, 2023, Al-Shaair signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Tennessee Titans.[20] He started all 17 games and finished fifth in the league with 163 tackles.[21][22]
On March 15, 2024, Al-Shaair signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Houston Texans.[23] Following Week 3, he was fined $11,000 for punching Chicago Bears running back, Roschon Johnson, despite Al-Shaair not being ejected from the game.[24] He was issued a second fine for $11,255 after a late hit out of bounds on Tennessee Titans running back, Tony Pollard.[25]
On December 1, 2024, Al-Shaair delivered an illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, after the latter had slid.[26] Lawrence was ruled out for the rest of the game with a concussion and Al-Shaair was ejected. A fight erupted between Al-Shaair and several Jaguar players, with Jacksonville cornerback, Jarrian Jones, also getting ejected.[27][28] Al-Shaair publicly apologized via social media for the hit the next day.[25] Two days after the game, Al-Shaair was suspended for three games with Jon Runyan, the NFL's Vice President of the Policy and Rules, writing in the suspension letter that Al-Shaair's "continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both [him] and [his] opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated."[29]
In 2025, Al-Shaair led the Texans in tackles while anchoring one of the NFL’s top ranked defense, a performance that culminated in his first career selection to the Pro Bowl squad.[30]
On April 29, 2026, the Texans signed Al-Shaair to a three-year, $54 million contract extension through the 2029 season.[31][32]
Al-Shaair is a practicing Muslim and fasts during Ramadan, including when he was participating in FAU's summer practices.[33] Al-Shaair has been deeply involved in community outreach and charitable work, partnering with organizations such as United Way and Covenant House to support underserved populations and homeless youth. He has also participated in the Texans Community Huddle Ticket Program, which provides game tickets and opportunities to engage with the players to students from disadvantaged communities. His service efforts have additionally included youth development initiatives, recognition of local firefighters, and humanitarian awareness related to Palestine. In recognition of his off-the-field leadership and impact, Al-Shaair was named the Texans’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2025.[34][35][36]
Al-Shaair is an advocate for Palestinian rights and wore an eye black with the message "stop the genocide" during a post-game interview with ESPN on January 12, 2026 after the Texans' playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.[37] Al-Shaair was fined $11,593 by the NFL for "violation of the NFL uniform and equipment rules."[38] Al-Shaair wore a similar eye black during the January 18 game against the New England Patriots.[39]
But on the Pro Bowler's eye black was a message that you don't see every day on ESPN: "STOP THE GENOCIDE." Al-Shaair, who is Muslim, has long been a vocal pro-Palestinian advocate.