Among the 13 NFL home teams that held a game on Sunday, five chose not to hold a moment of silence for slain political organizer Charlie Kirk.
Just a day after he was shot on a college campus in Utah, the NFL chose to hold a moment of silence for Kirk before the “Thursday Night Football” between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The NFL said it was a league decision not a team decision, but Sunday’s decision to hold a tribute would be left to the franchises.
“Last night’s moment was the league’s decision,” the league said in a statement Friday. “It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games. There have been a variety of moments of silence and tributes in-stadium and on-air in all games or a game immediately following events that rise to a national level. Clubs also often hold moments following a tragic event that affects their community.”
“There have been moments following school shootings or an attack on a house of worship such as the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. There also have been moments following major international incidents such as Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and weather-related incidents such as major hurricanes and fires.”
Which NFL Teams Did or Did Not Honor Charlie Kirk?
Five teams on Sunday opted not to hold a moment of silence or tribute for Kirk: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.
Eight teams on Sunday did hold a moment of silence or tribute for Kirk, with some teams noting the moment acknowledges the 24-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and gun violence in general, including the slaying of Kirk. Those teams are: Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs.
Kirk, an Illinois native, was a fan of Chicago sports team. The Bears did not have a home game scheduled Week 2 of the NFL season.
In Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees observed a moment of silence for Kirk prior to their game on Wednesday. President Donald Trump attended the Yankees game the next day to mark the 9/11 anniversary.
What Happened to Charlie Kirk?
Kirk, 31, was speaking outdoors at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire from a rooftop, fatally striking him with a single shot. The brazen attack was witnessed by thousands of students on campus and immediately spread to the broader public via social media.
Widely recognized in conservative circles for influencing younger voters, Kirk played a key role in Trump’s two electoral victories. Trump announced that Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
After a few days of mixed messages from authorities, Trump announced that the suspected gunman was apprehended — 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from St. George, Utah.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children.
A memorial service will be held Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, where the Cardinals play, who held a moment of silence for Kirk on Sunday.