The Green Bay Packers opened their Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Thursday night with a pregame tribute to Charlie Kirk. The conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday at age 31.
President Donald Trump confirmed the death on social media and later delivered an Oval Office address expressing both grief and anger at the assassination. He also announced that Kirk will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
Packers Tribute Sparks Divided Reactions Over NFL’s Gesture
Screenshot via X/@_MLFootball
The Packers’ moment of silence added them to a growing list of professional teams recognizing Kirk, including the New York Yankees, who held a similar observance on Wednesday night before facing the Detroit Tigers. Authorities had not yet identified a suspect as of Thursday evening, though the FBI released a photo of a person of interest earlier in the day.
The gesture in Green Bay quickly drew mixed reactions online. Some viewers said they were pleased the team acted, but frustrated that Amazon’s national broadcast did not show it. One user wrote that the league’s decision came off as performative rather than sincere, calling it a “Limp D*ck attempt at concern.”
Limp Dick attempt at concern…
— Southern Cross (@southernXabacos) September 12, 2025
Others thanked the Packers despite the lack of coverage. Posts on X included: “So glad they did, but it wasn’t broadcast” and “Didn’t see it on TV, but glad they did it.”
So glad they did, but it wasn't broadcast.
— Rivers52 (@Riverwalk522) September 12, 2025
Didn’t see it on TV, but glad they did it. 🙏
— Motivation Menagerie (@MotivationZoo) September 12, 2025
Didn’t see it on TV, but glad they did it. 🙏
— Motivation Menagerie (@MotivationZoo) September 12, 2025
Another reaction noted surprise at the NFL’s move: “Surprising coming from the NFL, but nice to see it done!”
Surprising coming from the NFL, but nice to see it done!
— 'MURICA! 🇺🇲 (@CenTexPatriots) September 12, 2025
Critics also accused Amazon of avoiding the moment entirely. “@amazon didn’t bother to show the remembrance of Charlie. Classless peddlers of Chinese crap!” wrote one account.
@amazon didn’t bother to show the remembrance of Charlie. Classless peddlers of Chinese crap!
— Censor This (@CensorThis18) September 12, 2025
Another added, “Too cowardly to do it on national TV.”
Too cowardly to do it on national tv.
— Brian Man (@BrianMannnn) September 12, 2025
These sharply divided responses underline how tributes to political figures, even in the context of tragedy, have become flashpoints for fans. Like the Yankees’ decision a night earlier, the Packers’ decision has now placed the NFL squarely in that debate.