People everywhere were shocked by the brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. Kirk, a right-wing political commentator, was extremely divisive, as his commentary often toed a thin line with outright hate speech.
However, as divisive as he may have been, the NFL mandated that the Green Bay Packers hold a “moment of silent reflection” for Kirk prior to Thursday night’s game between the Packers and Washington Commanders, [according to Pro Football Talk.](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-explains-decision-to-call-for-thursday-night-moment-of-silence-for-charlie-kirk)
“Last night’s moment was the league’s decision. It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games,” the league said in a statement.
“There have been a variety of moments of silence and tributes in-stadium and on-air in all games or a game immediately following events that rise to a national level. Clubs also often hold moments following a tragic event that affects their community.
“There have been moments following school shootings or an attack on a house of worship such as the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. There also have been moments following major international incidents such as Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and weather-related incidents such as major hurricanes and fires. This is in addition to honoring those in the NFL family from tributes to recently passed players or personnel, or a player such as Damar Hamlin in 2023. The NFL also honored before Super Bowl LIV NBA star Kobe Bryant and the other victims of the helicopter crash (Gianna Bryant, Sarah and Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan) and also Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Doleman who passed that week.
“In just this calendar year:
“Lift Every Voice and Sing has been performed at league events since 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the events of the summer of 2020, including last Thursday during the Kickoff game in Philadelphia. It is also performed before the Super Bowl.
“This summer before the Hall of Fame game in Canton, the league honored the victims and those impacted by the attack at 345 Park Avenue. During Week 18 games last season, the NFL honored the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Also, that season the NFL held a moment to recognize those lost in the deadly crashes near Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia and also prior to the Vikings-Rams Wild Card game that was moved from LA to Arizona due to the wildfires.”
Fans reacted to the decision on social media.
“So much for ‘end racism.’ We’re honoring the guy that thinks the civil rights act was bad,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Well, if that’s the case, I think it’s pretty easy to see where that directive came from,” another fan added.
“Was absolutely no need for it. At all,” one fan added.
“Gross,” one person bluntly wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see which other teams decide to do the same.