Sunday’s NFL games didn’t just showcase touchdowns and big defensive plays—they also revealed a split across the league when it came to honoring Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was assassinated in Utah earlier this week.
While some teams paused to remember him, others chose not to acknowledge the tragedy at all.
Teams That Paid Tribute
Several franchises made space in their game-day ceremonies to reflect on Kirk’s life.
The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Arizona Cardinals all stopped play before kickoff.
Their gestures varied—some displayed Kirk’s photo on massive jumbotrons, others bowed their heads in silence, and a few tied his remembrance into broader tributes.
The Dolphins, for example, combined Kirk’s tribute with a memorial for 9/11 victims and “any other victims of violence.”
In Pittsburgh, the Steelers went a step further, lowering their flag to half-staff before facing the Seahawks.
Teams That Stayed Silent
On the other side, the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings chose not to hold any official tribute.
The Colts later explained their choice: their pregame silence had already been scheduled to honor Forrest Lucas, the late founder of Lucas Oil, whose name is on their stadium.
The other four teams have not yet publicly explained their decision.
The silence is especially striking for the Ravens, given that the franchise previously held a moment of reflection for George Floyd in 2020 and saw many players kneel during the National Anthem that same season.
The NFL’s Position
The league itself set the tone on Thursday when the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders observed a league-mandated moment of silence for Kirk.
After that, however, the NFL announced it would leave the decision to individual teams for the rest of the weekend.
A statement released Friday explained that the league often coordinates tributes after major tragedies, but that these moments are not uniform.
Examples included silences after school shootings, the Tree of Life Synagogue attack, the Hamas assault on Israel, natural disasters, and the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.
The NFL also reminded fans that it frequently honors victims of tragedy alongside players and figures from within the sport itself.
Details of the Shooting
While the sports world debated tributes, the investigation into Kirk’s killing pressed on.
Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson of Washington, Utah, on suspicion of aggravated murder and other charges. He is expected to face formal charges this week.
Investigators learned from his family that Robinson had become increasingly political in recent years.
At a dinner table conversation before the shooting, Robinson reportedly criticized Kirk’s campus appearances and questioned whether the activist was “spreading hate.”
Chilling Messages and Online Taunts
The case took a darker turn when messages surfaced from Robinson’s online chats.
Ammunition found with his weapon was engraved with mocking, anti-fascist slogans, including one bullet casing etched with the words, “Hey, fascist! Catch!”
On Discord, Robinson appeared to revel in the chaos. He mocked the FBI’s manhunt, joked about reward money, and even responded sarcastically when classmates teased him in chats.
“My doppelganger’s trying to get me in trouble,” he wrote after surveillance photos of the suspect were released.
A Movement That Won’t End
Despite the shocking violence, Kirk’s family and his political organization are determined to push forward.
Turning Point USA announced a memorial service for September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, the home of the Cardinals.
Kirk’s body returned to his home state on Thursday aboard Air Force Two, escorted by Vice President JD Vance.
His widow, Erika Kirk, has vowed to continue her late husband’s work, promising to keep his campus tour and media projects alive.
“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” she said in a livestreamed message. “I refuse to let that happen.”