Football, hockey and baseball professionals remember the conservative icon.
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The American professional sports world responded to Wednesday’s tragic politically-motivated murder of conservative legend Charlie Kirk, offering prayers and praising his activism.
The New York Yankees baseball team held a moment of silence at Yankee Stadium in memory of Kirk.
Before tonight's game we held a moment of silence in memoriam of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk founded the youth activist group “Turning Point USA” and had become a fixture on college campuses. Charlie Kirk, a husband and father of two children, was 31 years old. pic.twitter.com/Fz5xPlmdu0
Three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and one-time Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman wrote, “Doesn’t matter where you land in the political landscape. Violence like this is never acceptable. Praying for the family.”
🚨JUST IN: #NFL legend Julian Edelman posted a powerful message after the death of Charlie Kirk — that violence is never the answer.
“Doesn’t matter where you land in the political landscape. Violence like this is never acceptable.
Another three-time Super Bowl winner, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, wrote, “Thank you for your strong witness for Christ, Charlie. Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband & father. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Heartbreaking: Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker posted his reaction to the death of Charlie Kirk.
“Thank you for your strong witness for Christ, Charlie. Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband & father.”
“Seeing people who are excited about Charlie Kirk dying are fucked up human beings… Sending love to his family,” wrote Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant.
🚨JUST IN: Legendary #NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant says that anyone celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk is disgusting and screwed up human beings.
“Seeing people who are excited about Charlie Kirk dying are f*cked up human beings…Sending love to his family ❤️” pic.twitter.com/3Ohx88vF5n
New York Giants rookie first round pick quarterback Jaxson Dart said he was “praying” for Kirk and his family, writing, “Charlie did great things for our country!! Political violence NEEDS TO STOP! Pray for our country man. This is disgusting and sad!”
Prayers: Giants star rookie QB Jaxson Dart has posted that he is heartbroken over the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk.
“Praying for him and his family!! Charlie did great things for our country!! Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!!”
Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson reposted a message by ex-wide receiver Torrey Smith, who wrote, “Celebrating the death of someone you don’t share the same beliefs as is wild. Seeing it play out in real time is disgusting.”
Celebrating the death of someone you don't share the same beliefs as is wild.
Ex-Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl-winning kicker Chris Jacke posted, “Probably won’t be posting as much as I usually do on game day today. Football just doesn’t seem that important with the political assassination of Charlie Kirk. I will see how the day goes. I’m still hoping the Packers and NFL grow a pair and remember him somehow tonight!! But just in case: GO PACK”.
Probably won’t be posting as much as I usually do on game day today. Football just doesn’t seem that important with the political assassination of Charlie Kirk. I will see how the day goes. I’m still hoping the Packers and NFL grow a pair and remember him somehow tonight!! But…
Last year, Kirk shared a photo of himself posing with Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix where he praised the young football player for his performance at the University of Oregon and for being “an amazing Christian, husband,” adding that Nix would, “make a terrific NFL player.”
In an era where so many players are opting out to put themselves first, it is refreshing to see a player do the opposite.
Today Bo made the decision to come back for one final game and finish strong with his teammates. While others he played with the entire season watched from… pic.twitter.com/bcicfMRHFy
Top ESPN personality Pat McAfee, a former NFL kicker, wrote a lengthy and heartfelt dedication to Kirk, saying his name was “synonymous with having the courage to speak what you believe and seek/welcome conversations with those whom you disagree with.”
“I’m not a political person but I am a proud American citizen and today was startling, saddening, and maddening all at the same time.. I’ve realized that I’m a bit naive to how crazy it all has become but watching a man get hunted and slayed in broad daylight because of his opinions made me disgusted and devastated,” he added. “This can’t be what we actually are or become as a country.. I believe that the good people will always outnumber the evil people but damn… today was an alarming day in our country’s history. 2 kids lost a dad.. a wife lost a husband.. and societal discourse lost a voice. RIP Charlie Kirk… I send my prayers, thoughts, and love to his family and friends.”
Charlie Kirk, a name synonymous with having the courage to speak what you believe and seek/welcome conversations with those whom you disagree with.
I’m not a political person but I am a proud American citizen and today was startling, saddening, and maddening all at the same…
McAfee also spoke on the matter during his Thursday show, commending Kirk for risking his life to try and speak with people with opposing political viewpoints.
Sports Illustrated journalist Albert Breer wrote, “I wish I hadn’t seen the Charlie Kirk video. Awful, reprehensible, and indicative of a political climate that’s been way out of control for way too long. Prayers to Kirk and his family.”
I wish I hadn't seen the Charlie Kirk video.
Awful, reprehensible, and indicative of a political climate that's been way out of control for way too long. Prayers to Kirk and his family.
While players, media members and teams expressed their support for Kirk and prayed for his family, American pro sports leagues and their commissioners have largely been silent.
Many internet users pointed out that the leagues were extremely vocal following the death of George Floyd in 2020, while ignoring Kirk’s death.
Dear pro sports leagues: Looking forward to seeing you release statements & send condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family after he was murdered for his political beliefs. You know – kinda like you did when career criminal George Floyd died. @NFL@NBA@WNBA@MLB@NHL Appreciate…
Hey @nflcommish@NFL, are y’all gonna make a statement condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk for TNF? Or do you only care about optics? Spineless organization. You have the power to start change, do something. https://t.co/i1r4nOUHBy
Meanwhile, a Carolina Panthers staffer was fired for celebrating Kirk’s assassination.
“Why are y’all sad? Your man said it was worth it…”
Also, former NFL wide receiver-turned CBS Mornings news host blamed Kirk’s “offensive” rhetoric for getting him killed.
He also asked former Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy if this a moment for the GOP “to reflect on political violence,” asking, “Is it a moment for us to think about the responsibility of our political leaders and their voices and what it does to the masses as they get lost in misinformation or disinformation that turns in and spills in to political violence?”
In the wake of Charlie Kirk being assassinated, CBS Mornings host Nate Burleson tells former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy that it's REPUBLICANS that really need to watch their rhetoric:
"Speaking of this tragedy, is this a moment for your party to reflect on political… pic.twitter.com/qQvgUzO6Bk
Image Credit: theblaze on X 
