Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a speaking event in Utah on Wednesday. The Republican political influencer’s assassination immediately turned into a national tragedy, something that even President Donald Trump addressed himself.
The memorial for Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 11, 2025.
The memorial for Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 11, 2025.
His tragic death has generated a similar amount of love and hatred across the community. Given his political background, it was written to happen. But recently, the situation has reached one step further after a major memorial service was announced at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
Fans Compare Charlie Kirk Memorial to George Floyd Silence
The NFL held a moment of silencebefore the Green Bay Packers–Washington Commanders “Thursday Night Football” game for Charlie Kirk.
The P.A. announcer 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.”
Now, Kirk’s memorial service has been set. According to a recent report, they announced it for Sunday, September 21, in Glendale, Arizona. And the venue is one that should look familiar to NFL fans, the Cardinals’ stadium.
🚨#BREAKING Turning Point USA has officially announced that a memorial service for Charlie Kirk will be held next Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) September 13, 2025
But it has ignited a firestorm on social media, with many fans drawing comparisons to other victims of violence who they believe received less institutional recognition.
One fanwrote, “Why didn’t George Floyd get this type of treatment?”
For the unversed, Floyd’s death transformed into global protests against police brutality. Kirk had also previously questioned the mainstream account of Floyd’s death before his assassination, which directly challenged how the case was handled. But it wasn’t met with similar high-profile tributes from major sports leagues.
Another userquestioned, “What impact do you think this memorial will have on the movement Charlie Kirk represented? Healing or more division?” The skeptical tone suggests concerns about the NFL’s decision to honor someone whose political views were often polarizing.
Other fans expressed disbelief at the scale of the tribute. “All that for an influencer is wild,”wroteone surprised fan, while anotherasked, “Why don’t veterans and assassinated politicians receive this type of treatment?”
A fifth complaintread, “Little much don’t you think? Lol.”
And another random usersaid, “You’re doing more for him than all the kids that are killed at school shootings.”
The backlash highlights deep divisions in how different groups view Kirk’s legacy. While supporters see him as a murdered political activist deserving of respect, critics point to his controversial statements about race, police, and social justice issues.
However, it is confirmed that thetribute for him will run through the rest of Week 2. League officials made the decision on Thursday and shared it in a statement the very next day. It read, “Last night’s moment was the league’s decision. It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games.”
For the remaining 15 games in the second week, each team will decide whether to hold a tribute, as stated by the NFL. But again, fans’ complaints are not going to take a pause anytime soon.