NFL Addresses Tribute to Charlie Kirk
On Friday, the NFL released a statement regarding a recent tribute to Charlie Kirk before a game, indicating that teams will make their own choices about similar tributes this Sunday.
A moment of silence in honor of Kirk took place before Thursday night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Washington.
“The league organized last night’s moment, but decisions for this Sunday rest with the clubs,” the statement noted, referencing various reports.
The statement further elaborated on the context of such tributes, comparing this moment to past commemorations following tragedies. It referenced moments of silence observed after school shootings and attacks on places of worship, citing incidents like the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh back in 2018, and international events following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, among others.
“This contributes to our honoring former players and staff who have passed, like Damar Hamlin in 2023. The NFL also recognized victims of the helicopter crash involving NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant,” the statement added.
The league reflected on changes made to pre-game protocols after George Floyd’s death in 2020, and various tragedies in the years since.
“The national anthem and moments of silence have been a part of league events since 2020, including last Thursday’s kickoff in Philadelphia, and are scheduled for the Super Bowl,” the statement explained.
This summer, prior to the Hall of Fame weekend in Canton, the NFL also acknowledged the victims of an attack at 345 Park Avenue. In the 18th week of last season, they paid tribute to victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack and those affected by wildfires in Arizona.
In a notable incident, the Carolina Panthers fired Charlie Lock from their communications team after he made insensitive remarks about Kirk’s assassination. A social media post linked to Lock questioned why the death had evoked sadness.
“The views expressed by our employees are personal and do not reflect the views of the Carolina Panthers,” the team stated on social media. “We do not condone violence in any form and take such matters very seriously.”
Meanwhile, in other sports news, the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs observed a moment of silence for Kirk ahead of their games following Wednesday’s assassination. MLB has instructed all teams to lower American flags to half-mast throughout the weekend in honor of Kirk.
“MLB encourages all clubs to adhere to the White House presidential declaration regarding flag protocol,” an MLB spokesperson informed the media.
Other leagues, including the NHL, NBA, and WNBA, have not yet issued official statements pertaining to Kirk’s assassination. Fox News Digital attempted to reach all three for comments but received no response.
