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The NFL held a moment of silence for the late conservative personality Charlie Kirk before Thursday night’s game in Green Bay.
Kirk was killed Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Authorities arrested the man they said shot Kirk on Friday.
“The National Football League asks that you please join us in a moment of silent reflection following the murder of Charlie Kirk,” said the Lambeau Field public address announcer. “The NFL condemns all violence in our communities, it will take all of us to stop hate.”
Spokespeople for the NFL and Packers told Front Office Sports the moment of silence was a league decision rather than one initiated by the team. “Last night’s moment was the league’s decision,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told FOS. “It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games.”
The Packers said the moment for Kirk did not impact the team’s separate on-field pregame plans to commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11.
The moment aired on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football coverage, with a lead-in from host Charissa Thompson referencing “yesterday’s events,” but not naming Kirk. Amazon, which aired the Packers-Commanders game, did not immediately respond to questions from FOS.
Pro sports teams have marked several shootings this year. The NFL said it regularly does tributes to major news events before games, with McCarthy pointing to moments of silence the league held after the deaths of Kobe Bryant and Chris Doleman.
The NFL held a moment of silence before its Hall of Fame game in July following the deadly attacks at the league headquarters in New York City. Last month, the Blue Jays held a moment of silence before their game against the Twins after a shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Lynx held a moment of silence before a game following the shootings that killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and injured state Senator John Hoffman and his wife.
The New York Yankees also held a moment of silence for Kirk ahead of their Wednesday night game, attracting widespread attention on a date when all 30 MLB teams played.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump said he will award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Kirk, who was 31, founded the political organization Turning Point USA.
On Friday, the Cubs held a “moment of reflection” for Kirk in Chicago and recognized him as a lifelong fan.
Fox News said it received a statement from MLB saying, “We asked all of the Clubs to follow the direction of the White House Presidential Proclamation and fly flags at half-staff in their ballparks.”
On Saturday night, the UFC official account tweeted a photo of Kirk and said, “Rest in peace.”
Fired Over Social Media Posts
Several people who work in pro sports were fired this week for posting about Kirk’s death. The Carolina Panthers and PHNX Sports each fired an employee for their comments on social media.
The Vegas Golden Knights condemned comments made by a producer of their broadcast partner, Fox Sports Las Vegas, who was also fired. TQL Stadium, home of MLS’s FC Cincinnati, announced it cut ties with a barbecue vendor due to its since-fired co-owner’s posts about Kirk.
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