The Buffalo Bills found themselves in the spotlight for a controversial moment during their first home game since the assassination of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk.
Ahead of Thursday Night Football, the team chose to honor Kirk, prompting a mix of reactions from fans in attendance.
A Somber Tribute Before Kickoff
Before the game began, the Bills displayed a graphic on the stadium screens featuring Kirk’s name along with his birth and death dates, accompanied by photos of Kirk and his family.
Somber music played while a few attendees stood quietly for the display, though most fans kept their seats.
Reactions were largely subdued, with occasional boos heard when Kirk’s face appeared.
One fan was even overheard saying, “It’s over a week, get over it,” reflecting the division in the crowd over the tribute.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The decision sparked immediate responses online.
Some Bills fans expressed disappointment and anger, calling Kirk a “non-apologetic racist, homophobic misogynist,” while others questioned why the tribute was happening at all.
Comments ranged from “Gross and disappointed” to “Charlie who?” Some fans threatened to stop supporting the team, reflecting the divisive nature of honoring a polarizing figure.
NFL Teams Navigate a Difficult Situation
The Buffalo Bills were not alone in facing this dilemma.
After Kirk’s assassination, the Green Bay Packers were instructed by the NFL to hold a tribute, while other teams were left to make their own choices.
Several franchises opted to honor Kirk, including the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Arizona Cardinals.
Moments of silence, tributes on jumbotrons, and flags at half-staff marked these events.
For instance, the Saints observed a pre-National Anthem silence, while the Dolphins also included victims of 9/11 and other acts of violence in their tribute.
Teams That Declined to Participate
Not all NFL teams chose to pay tribute. The Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings did not include Kirk in pregame moments of silence.
The Colts clarified that they instead held a planned tribute to Forrest Lucas, the founder of Lucas Oil Stadium, who had passed away last month.
Other teams either did not respond initially or offered alternative reasons for not participating.
The Houston Texans took a broader approach, honoring “all victims of violence and natural disasters across the country,” while the Las Vegas Raiders became another franchise that declined to participate in the Kirk tribute.
A Controversial Decision Amid a Divided Audience
The Bills’ decision illustrates the challenge NFL teams face in responding to tragic events involving polarizing figures.
With fans and the public deeply divided, teams risk backlash regardless of whether they choose to honor or abstain from recognition.
For Buffalo, the tribute to Charlie Kirk highlighted how complex and sensitive such decisions have become in professional sports.