NFL Allows Teams to Choose Charlie Kirk Tributes Sunday

Following the tragic assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a college event, the NFL held a moment of silence before the Thursday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders but left it to individual clubs to decide on tributes for the Sunday games. Many teams chose not to conduct pregame memorials, with the Pittsburgh Steelers opting to fly flags at half-mast, though NFL stadiums are not federal property and thus not required to follow President Donald Trump's proclamation to lower flags. Kirk, a passionate college football fan and supporter of the Oregon Ducks, has sparked calls for his favorite team to honor him, with Oregon's head coach expressing sympathy for Kirk's family and acknowledging the evil of the act. The NFL's approach contrasts with other leagues; while MLB mandated flags at half-staff, the NHL, NBA, and WNBA have remained silent. The league contextualized its tribute within past responses to national tragedies, emphasizing the sensitive nature of such moments and citing previous commemorations like those for Damar Hamlin and victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue attack. Meanwhile, controversy arose with a former NFL player publicly criticizing Kirk posthumously and the Carolina Panthers firing an employee whose social media comments questioned public grief over Kirk's death.