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A social media rumor claiming that Sheila Ford Hamp, owner of the Detroit Lions, announced a giveaway of 80,000 red and blue towels to honor Charlie Kirk has been proven false.
The Detroit Lions organization has not made any such declarations, and they have previously chosen not to engage in tributes for the conservative figure.
The Viral Claim About the Lions’ Towel Tribute
The misinformation originated from a Facebook page titled “Great Lake Warriors,” which posted that Sheila Ford Hamp had declared the free distribution of these towels at Ford Field. The post, which quickly went viral with tens of thousands of likes, claimed that images and quotes of Charlie Kirk would be showcased for 15 minutes before a game, suggesting the towels carried a message potent enough to ignite a political controversy.
The claim was further amplified by an article on a website called ‘Work Top News,’ which quoted a supposed university sociologist to lend credibility to its story.
Fact Check: The Rumor is Officially Debunked
However, this claim is baseless. A fact-checking investigation confirmed that Sheila Ford Hamp has not issued any statements about the Detroit Lions paying tribute to Charlie Kirk in this manner.
No reputable news outlets have reported any plans for the NFL team to hand out such towels, and the Facebook post in question links to a dubious website. The Lions have not provided any official comment regarding future tributes to Kirk.
The Lions’ Actual Stance on Charlie Kirk Tributes
The Detroit Lions were among several NFL teams that opted not to observe a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following his passing in September. This decision, made during their September 14 matchup with the Chicago Bears, aligns with the NFL’s policy of allowing clubs to decide individually on memorial tributes.
Sad to say, the Detroit Lions did not pay tribute to Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence. Shameful and petty pic.twitter.com/H6yPGmkQzc
— JP (@JohnIsa69517391) September 15, 2025
Other teams, including the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, also opted out, while teams like the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys held moments of silence.
Understanding Sheila Ford Hamp’s Role
Sheila Ford Hamp is the principal owner and chairwoman of the Detroit Lions, a role she took over from her mother in June 2020. Her leadership marks the first time in NFL history that team ownership passed between two women. A descendant of the Ford and Firestone families, her primary source of income and professional focus is the management of the Lions franchise.
Fabricated stories often use the names of well-known organizations and figures to gain traction. This particular rumor employed several common tactics, including citing a fake expert and framing the event as a “breaking news” secret to create a sense of urgency and importance. The viral nature of the post on social media platforms demonstrates how quickly misinformation can reach a wide audience before it is fact-checked.
