The Carolina Panthers have reportedly fired a team employee who made an insensitive remark on social media after Charlie Kirk was assassinated.
Charlie Rock, who was a football communications coordinator with the Panthers, shared a video on the Instagram story for his personal account on Wednesday that showed Kirk at a speaking engagement. Rock captioned the post “Why are yall (sic) sad? Your man said it was worth it…”
The post also featured the song “Protect Ya Neck” by Wu-Tang Clan. That was likely a reference to Kirk being shot in the neck and killed in the middle of a Wednesday appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Hey @Panthers I hear this one of your employees in the Comms Department celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Is this consistent with your organization’s values and policies? pic.twitter.com/sjjjmDTv4a
— Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) September 11, 2025
The Panthers issued a statement on Thursday condemning the post and saying Rock’s views do not reflect those of the organization.
“The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual,” the statement read.
The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 11, 2025
While the Panthers did not specify how they addressed the matter, there have been multiple reports that Rock was fired.
Rock was hired as a PR intern with the Panthers last year and had recently landed a full-time role in the team’s communications department.
Kirk, who was 31, was hosting an event at Utah Valley for his right-wind youth organization Turning Point USA. He is survived by his wife Erika Frantzve, 36, and their two young children, ages 3 and 1.
The New York Yankees held a moment of silence for Kirk before their game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.