‘It’s bigger than me’: Azeez Al-Shaair reacts to NFL fine for ‘stop the genocide’ eye black

NFL player Azeez Al-Shaair displayed the message “Stop the Genocide” referring to the war in Gaza. Firstly, there is a terrible job done by Israel if their goal was genocide as the population of Palestenians has increased since the beginning of the war and the “cease fire.” Also, people are dying because of the Hamas led invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023.

Israel is the only rational state amongst autocratic rulers that surround its borders. Why didn’t Al-Shaair, who was fined nearly $12,000 by the league, say how many Israeli people are dying every day? Why is it the go to political thing to say down with Israel, a country that welcomes Arabs and others into its gates who wish to worship, work, and play?

Al-Shaair is yet another cleat freak who has no understanding of geopolitics. If he did, he wouldn’t be so wrong. It’s rational to criticize the government of Israel and its leader Netanyahu, but to degrade an entire nation and never look at Palestine as the enemy, that is dangerous, vicious even. This is what has been wrought over decades.

Ever since the founding of Israel, it has been on the defense trying to preserve its values. Though not perfect, it would be heinous to praise Palestine while damning Iranians.

As the NFL linebacker has said, he has “no connection” to the people of Gaza. He is just a “human” with a “heart.” If he had an actual brain, he’d side with Israel. Since he is an athlete, he is held to certain uniform standards and he violated them. His inference that only Gazan babies died in the attacks is false and horrific. Among all of the surrounding nations of Israel, which ones represent relative freedom? How many Israelis can visit other countries around it or maybe even become citizens? Not many. Maybe none at all.

On the contrary, the ten million or so inhabitants of Israel have a sector of about two million Arabs, who can become doctors and entrepreneurs under the white and blue banner.

With Al-Shaair’s position on the state of global affairs, did he find it within himself to display the names of the Israelis who had been slaughtered or captured and put into some pesthole to die as hostages? What does he feel is the right way to go about all of this?

It appears that he has not studied the statistics and facts surrounding this whole matter. Emotionally driven statements help no one. Rational, well-thought out displays that might even incur a fine ought to be displayed on the field. To not stand with Israel is to show to the world his impotence and ignorance, yes but also a deep-seated frustration. He is frustrated because he may know the truth but wants to twist it into a political statement that would reflect well and act as a hollow bromide.

In his capacity to become a better person, he should focus on blocking, patterns, and reading the plays so that he can excel on the field. If he wishes to show messages of hate and distortion, blatant communications of evil, he should keep them to himself. Now, if he wants to study and show himself approved of reason, individualism, and capitalism, that is his prerogative as well.

As we move forward under the wings of justice and regard for Israel, it is important for people like Al-Shaair to take seriously the words he wishes to project. In a matter of a few hours combing the Ayn Rand Institute (aynrand.org) or gaining knowledge and wisdom from Dr. Yaron Brook on YouTube, he just might have a change of mind.