The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk seems to have sparked a significant shift among American athletes.
It appears that Kirk’s murder has emboldened some athletes to voice opinions that could upset the left. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re leaning conservative, but it’s definitely a refreshing change.
On Sunday, multiple NFL teams honored Kirk, with many fans responding positively. During the 1 PM games, the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Jets observed moments of silence in his memory. Each team displayed Kirk’s image on their video boards, acknowledging his contributions as the founder of Turning Point USA following a devastating incident at Utah Valley University.
Later, both the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs held similar tributes before their games against the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. The Pittsburgh Steelers even lowered their flag to half-staff.
Other areas in the sports community also paid their respects. The New York Yankees held a moment of silence before their game on Wednesday, taking issue with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for what they perceived as an inappropriate celebration during a serious time.
🚨Just: #ravens Superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson on the tragic death of Charlie Kirk – says it’s awful to celebrate someone’s death.
“Celebrating the death of someone who doesn’t share the same beliefs is wild. I hate seeing it play out in real time.” pic.twitter.com/qerfhf6xvn
– mlfootball (@_mlfootball) September 10, 2025
Before tonight’s match, we had a moment of silence in Charlie Kirk’s memory.
Kirk founded the youth activist group Turning Point USA, which became a staple on college campuses. Charlie Kirk was 31 years old, a husband, and a father of two. pic.twitter.com/fz5xplmdu0
– New York Yankees (@yankees) September 10, 2025
Blake Trainen, a relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, also honored Kirk during a game against the San Francisco Giants by taking the mound wearing a hat with Kirk’s name on it, caught in a poignant moment of remembrance.
Dodgers pitcher Blake Trainen honored Charlie Kirk by writing “✝️Charlie Kirk✝️” on his game hat against San Francisco.
Trainen was also notably the only Dodger to express public dissent about his team two seasons ago. pic.twitter.com/wzupcjildi
– Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) September 13, 2025
Of course, not all these athletes align with Kirk’s political beliefs. Yet, they do share a profound sense of humanity.
Especially in a time when young kids are susceptible to extreme ideologies online, it’s encouraging to see athletes promoting decency and moral clarity by speaking out against political violence—a much-needed influence for this country and its youth.
As a kid, I looked up to professional athletes. There wasn’t social media back then, but I loved poring over their interviews in magazines like Sports Illustrated and catching their post-game comments on ESPN. They were relatable figures for many of us.
Pro athletes don’t have to hold conservative views to serve as role models (although that helps!). They simply don’t have to turn a blind eye to Kirk’s tragic assassination, something that might have been different a few years ago.
And hey, maybe there are more conservatives in the sports world than we realize. Perhaps recent events will help bring them out into the open.
