Charlie Kirk’s Athletic Background Before Politics
Before diving into his role as a right-wing political commentator, Charlie Kirk had an athletic past as a football player.
Recently, images surfaced online showing Kirk practicing with former 49ers quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, during their high school days.
Kirk and Garoppolo both hail from Illinois and attended schools located about 20 minutes apart from each other. Kirk was a student at Wheeling High School, where he excelled in both football and basketball. Meanwhile, Garoppolo went to Rolling Meadows High School and participated in soccer, baseball, and basketball.
Garoppolo continued his football journey post-high school, playing at Eastern Illinois University before being drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
He was traded to the 49ers in 2017 and made headlines in 2019 when he led the team to the Super Bowl, throwing for 3,978 yards and 27 touchdowns that season. Though the 49ers lost to the Chiefs, it helped establish Kansas City’s powerful dynasty under Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
While Kirk didn’t pursue college football, a recent video has caught attention, showcasing his impressive arm strength—he could throw a football over 50 yards with ease.
Politically engaged from his high school days, Kirk briefly attended Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, but ultimately did not graduate as he shifted his focus to founding Turning Point USA alongside Bill Montgomery.
Despite his political career, Kirk has remained a dedicated football fan. He has been spotted cheering for the Oregon Ducks, even taking pictures with Bo Nix, the former Oregon State quarterback now playing for the Broncos.
However, a photo of Nix with Kirk sparked significant criticism recently, leading to considerable online backlash.
When Kirk passed away in August 2025, Oregon coach Dan Lanning reflected on the tragic loss, emphasizing that “life matters,” a sentiment that seemed to echo widely in the wake of the tragedy.
Garoppolo, who finished his career with the Rams, has not commented on Kirk’s death and is currently a free agent, reportedly contemplating retirement after a notable 12-year journey in the NFL.
