NFL Announces Plan Singling Out Packers as 30 Teams Get a Choice

About 25 minutes before the Thursday Night Football matchup, the Packers PA could be heard requesting a packed Lambeau Field, “The National Football League asks that you please join us in a moment of silent reflection following the m-rder of Charlie Kirk. The NFL condemns all violence in our communities. It will take all of us to stop hate.” There was no player on the field, and the wake wasn’t given much coverage on the broadcast, with only Amazon Prime’s Charissa Thompson revealing the observation.

Of course, given Charlie Kirk’s conservative political views, not everyone agreed with the NFL’s decision. But with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in attendance and the game being the first in the NFL’s schedule after the incident at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, it made sense for Goodell to make the decision for Green Bay. However, turns out the decision was only conditional, at least for the rest of the NFL teams. When ProFootballTalk reached out to the league on Friday, the NFL responded, “Last night’s moment was the league’s decision. It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games.

“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.”

The wake also came on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, a day the league traditionally marks with anthems, ceremonies, and flyovers. The Packers also fully embraced the moment, bowing their heads in respect. Trumpet player Augie Haas delivered his rendition of a moving Star-Spangled Banner. Four F-35 jets from the Wisconsin Air National Guard roared overhead following the national anthem.

NFL spokesperson noted that clubs often hold moments of silence for tragedies impacting local fanbases, school shootings, accidents, and acts of violence hitting their communities. Historically, the NFL has tributed the likes of Damar Hamlin, Kobe Bryant, helicopter crash victims, te—rist attacks, and natural disaster cases. Kirk’s tribute was different, isolated, politically charged, and attention-grabbing.

It was deliberate, visible, and polarizing, a deviation from the uniform gestures that the fans have come to expect. However, for Kirk’s wake, the NFL left the decision to the rest of the 30 teams. The Washington Commanders, of course, were already present for their week 2 matchup against Green Bay and don’t need to observe Kirk’s death separately.

Other sports paid tribute as well. The New York Yankees held a moment of silence before their game against the Detroit Tigers, with Trump in attendance. Kirk’s hometown Chicago Cubs followed on Friday, lowering the American flag to half-staff at Wrigley Field before facing the Tampa Bay Rays. Tyler Bowyer, COO of Turning Point USA, confirmed the Cubs wanted to honor Kirk, a lifelong fan.

President Donald Trump weighed in separately, announcing he would posthumously award his alleged friend and the conservative activist, Kirk, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and calling him a “champion of liberty.” While the rest of the NFL teams can decide whether they want to follow in Green Bay’s footsteps for Sunday’s fixtures, some NFL stars, reportedly, have already pledged support for Charlie Kirk’s children.

Almost immediately after the incident in Utah, rumors began swirling online that NFL stars were stepping in to support his family. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ mother, Randi, commented “Rest in Heaven..” to Kirk’s September 6 tweet where he wrote, “Jesus defeated death so you can live.” After that, James Hirsen wrote on X, “Shortly after Charlie Kirk’s death, Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes stepped in, pledging to pay all of Kirk’s two children’s living and education expenses. This action not only eased the burden on Kirk’s family during this time of grief but also caused a stir on social media.”

Similar rumors swirled around Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, suggesting he, too, would step in for Kirk’s children. However, none of these players has confirmed or denied these rumors. But many current and former NFL players reacted to Kirk’s death. With Sunday’s matchups looming, let’s see if the teams continue to follow what Green Bay had to do.