On September 10, 2025, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University while on his “American Comeback” tour. According to federal officials, a suspect armed with a long gun fired from about 200 meters away; Kirk was rushed to the hospital but died after surgery.
His assassination triggered an unprecedented wave of reaction from NFL players who demanded an end to political violence.
NFL Stars Condemn Attack on Charlie Kirk and Call for Calm
Charlie Kirk, conservative star and founder of Turning Point USA signs hats and takes photos with supporters after his visit to FSU for his ‘American Comeback Tour’ Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, as part © Mishalynn Brown/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New York Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart posted multiple Instagram Stories in the hours after the shooting. He praised Kirk’s contributions, prayed for his family, and urged Americans to stop political violence. Dart’s posts included images of Kirk’s wife and children and even a Fox News post with a Bible verse that Erika Kirk had shared earlier (Daily Mail).
“Praying for him and his family. Charlie did great things for our country!! Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!! Pray for our country man. This is disgusting and sad.”
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker also weighed in on X. He thanked Kirk for his public witness and shared a 2024 text exchange where they discussed scripture. His post closed with a Catholic prayer for the dead.
“Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11. Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and 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”
Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11. Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and 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,…
— Harrison Butker (@buttkicker7) September 10, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson focused on the wider social reaction. He said celebrating the death of someone with opposing views was unacceptable and called the viral footage of the shooting “disgusting.” He reshared the tweet,
“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.
Seeing it play out in real time is disgusting.
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 10, 2025
The league’s stars, often on opposite sidelines, closed ranks in denouncing the violence and calling for unity.
The NFL community’s response shows how deeply this act resonated beyond politics. With the investigation still active, keep following our coverage for verified updates on the case and on how the league’s biggest names are speaking out against political violence.