Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was tragically shot dead during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The 31-year-old was the founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of the US President, Donald Trump.
Utah was the first stop of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” and he was taking questions from the audience at the “Prove Me Wrong” debating table when the incident occurred. He was married to Erika Frantzve and was the father of a daughter and a son.
Multiple NFL stars paid tribute to Kirk upon his passing, including Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and former NFL star Pat McAfee.
NFL reacts to Charlie Kirk’s passing ft. Lamar Jackson
Baltimore’s QB Lamar Jackson reposted two-time Super Bowl champion Torrey Smith’s post on X (formerly Twitter) after Charlie Kirk’s death.
“Celebrating the death of someone you don’t share the same beliefs as is wild. Seeing it play out in real time is disgusting,” Smith wrote.
Celebrating the death of someone you don’t share the same beliefs as is wild.
Seeing it play out in real time is disgusting.
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 10, 2025
Pat McAfee also penned down a bold message to share his reaction to the incident.
“Charlie Kirk, a name synonymous with having the courage to speak what you believe and seek/welcome conversations with those whom you disagree with,” McAfee Wrote.
“I’m not a political person but I am a proud American citizen and today was startling, saddening, and maddening all at the same time.. I’ve realized that I’m a bit naive to how crazy it all has become but watching a man get hunted and slayed in broad daylight because of his opinions made me disgusted and devastated.”
“This can’t be what we actually are or become as a country.. I believe that the good people will always outnumber the evil people but damn… today was an alarming day in our country’s history.”
“2 kids lost a dad.. a wife lost a husband.. and societal discourse lost a voice. RIP @charliekirk11 .. I send my prayers, thoughts, and love to his family and friends.”
🚨JUST IN: #NFL legend and ESPN host Pat McAfee posted a powerful message on the death of Charlie Kirk, calling it a massive tragedy.
“I’m not a political person but I am a proud American citizen and today was startling, saddening, and maddening all at the same time”
“Watching… pic.twitter.com/kIk1YC8HFD
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 11, 2025
The New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart shared a picture of Kirk with his child on his Instagram handle and wrote an emotional message for him.
“Praying for him and his family ❤️!!” Dart wrote. “Charlie did great things for our country!! Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!! Pray for our country man. This is disgusting and Sad!!!”
🚨NEWS: #Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart posted he is heartbroken over the tragic death of Charlie Kirk.
“Praying for him and his family ❤️!! Charlie did great things for our country!! Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!!”
“Pray for our country man. This is disgusting and Sad!!!” pic.twitter.com/mjwSb7NW7V
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 10, 2025
The Giants’ rookie RB Cam Skattebo also shared his thoughts about the killing.
“We need change,” Skattebo wrote.
NEWS: #Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo speaks on the death of Charlie Kirk and the tragic high school shooting in Colorado.
“We need change”
Skattebo says that we need change in this country. pic.twitter.com/OKuf68AW2e
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 10, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker posted on his X handle as well.
“Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11,” Butker wrote. “Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and father. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen”
Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11. Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and father. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,…
— Harrison Butker (@buttkicker7) September 10, 2025
Former Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant took a dig at people celebrating Kirk’s killing.
“Seeing people who are excited about Charlie Kirk dying are fucked up human beings…Sending love to his family ❤️” Bryant posted.
Seeing people who are excited about Charlie Kirk dying are fucked up human beings…Sending love to his family ❤️
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 10, 2025
Three-time Super Bowl winner Julian Edelman shared a strong message.
“Doesn’t matter where you land in the political landscape,” Edelman Wrote. “Violence like this is never acceptable. Praying for the family.”
Doesn’t matter where you land in the political landscape. Violence like this is never acceptable.
Praying for the family.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) September 10, 2025
Former Pro Bowler quarterback Robert Griffin joined his fellow NFL mates in paying tribute to Charlie Kirk.
“The Charlie Kirk Shooting was disturbing, disgusting and wrong,” Griffin wrote. Praying for Charlie Kirk’s wife, kids and family. It’s okay to disagree with someone’s political views, but celebrating his death makes you a despicable human. No one deserves to be gunned down for their beliefs.”
The Charlie Kirk Shooting was disturbing, disgusting and wrong.
Praying for Charlie Kirk’s wife, kids and family.
It’s okay to disagree with someone’s political views, but celebrating his death makes you a despicable human.
No one deserves to be gunned down for their beliefs.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 10, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ star pass rusher, Josh Hines-Allen, also joined the movement.
“You don’t have to agree with Charlie Kirk or his views, but taking someone’s life over differences is never justified,” Hines posted. “The whole situation is tragic. Prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones.”
You don’t have to agree with Charlie Kirk or his views, but taking someone’s life over differences is never justified. The whole situation is tragic. Prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones.
— Joshua Hines-Allen (@JoshHinesAllen) September 10, 2025
POTUS Donald Trump, Joe Biden, JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former POTUS Barack Obama also shared their views on Charlie Kirk’s tragic killing. The NFL is yet to issue any statement about the incident.
