The NFL held a moment of silence for the late conservative personality Charlie Kirk ahead of 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 league and Packers confirmed the moment of silence was an NFL announcement rather than one initiated by the team. “Last night’s moment was the league’s decision,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told Front Office Sports. “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 did not immediately respond to questions.
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.
Several people who work in pro sports have been 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.
Trump attended the Yankees game Thursday on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. “Tonight, we join all of Major League Baseball in observing a moment of silence for the victims, survivors, heroes, and all those impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001,” the team wrote on social media.
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.
