The NFL world is mourning alongside the nation after Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker shared the final text message he received from the late Charlie Kirk. For those unversed, Kirk is the conservative activist who was shot and killed in Utah on Wednesday.
Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
However, the message the Chiefs star leaked actually was the very last communication between him and Kirk, which was sent in October 2024. It revealed Kirk’s steadfast faith in what would become his final spiritual note with the Super Bowl champion.
Harrison Butker Shares Charlie Kirk’s Final Spiritual Message
Kirk was a well-known conservative political activist. At the same time, he was also an active co-founder of Turning Point USA.
During the tragic assassination, the 31-year-old activist was speaking at the Utah Valley campus in Orem when a sniper shot him from a rooftop approximately 200 yards away from the event site. The bullet hit him directly in the neck, and he later died from his injuries.
Butker, one of the NFL’s most vocal Christian players, recently posted a screenshot of their last text exchange after the tragic death. Within a few hours, it had crossed around 3.5 million views.
pic.twitter.com/bQOIw8vbHh
— Harrison Butker (@buttkicker7) September 10, 2025
“Philippians 3:14: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” the Turning Point USA founder sent to Butker alongside a prayer emoji. Butker responded with his own prayer emoji. “On the mission,” the NFL star added. “Thank you.”
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This leaked text showed Kirk was also a spiritual person. Quite frankly, this has provided comfort to millions of Americans dealing with the shocking murder.
Harrison Butker Pays Tribute to Charlie Kirk After Utah Tragedy
Butker tweeted a heartfelt tribute, noting both his grief and Kirk’s legacy as a spiritual man. Hewrote, “Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11.”
He added, “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
Their connection became strong after Butker delivered his commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he faced criticism for his traditional Catholic views. “I stand with Harrison Butker,” Kirk said, defending the NFL star against backlash and calling him a “devout family man.”
Kirk leaves behind a wife, two young children, and a conservative youth movement he built from the ground up. President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a post on Truth Social and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide. The manhunt for Kirk’s shooter continues, with copsdealing with CCTV footage.