Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The shooting has further inflamed an already tense political environment, which the NFL addressed before the Thursday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders.
Prior to kickoff, the Amazon Prime Video broadcast aired a “moment of reflection” from Lambeau Field that was held following Kirk’s untimely death.
The message from the league was focused on condemning violence and a call to stop the spread of hate.
The Packers and NFL held a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk, as shown on the Amazon Prime Video ‘Thursday Night Football’ broadcast. pic.twitter.com/QUZv7VDJe6
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“Moments ago inside the stadium, the Packers and the NFL observed a silent reflection following yesterday’s events,” Charissa Thompson said.
“The National Football League asks that you please join us in a moment of silent reflection following the murder of Charlie Kirk. The NFL condemns all violence in our communities. It will take all of us to stop hate. Thank you,” read the message from Green Bay Packers public address announcer Bill Jartz. The team also had a separate tribute in the pregame activities to commemorate 9/11.
Emotions are running high across the political and societal spectrum after the shocking shooting. Earlier on Thursday, two individuals in the sports world were fired from their jobs after controversial social media posts about Charlie Kirk, one being a communications staffer for the Carolina Panthers and another a Phoenix Suns reporter for the AllCity Network.
On Wednesday evening the New York Yankees held a moment of silence for Kirk, with his name and picture on the Yankee Stadium videoboard. President Donald Trump was in attendance in the Bronx for Thursday night’s game, which also came on the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
At this moment it is unclear if the NFL will hold similar moments of reflection before other games in Week 2 on Sunday and Monday, or if it was just meant for the Thursday Night Football game given it was the day after the tragic events unfolded.