The Houston Texans chose not to specifically mention Charlie Kirk during a moment of silence dedicated to “all victims of violence and natural disaster” at their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
While five NFL teams failed to acknowledge Kirk and seven others made a point to honor him in their Week 2 games, Houston opted for a more generalized recognition at NRG Stadium.
When contacted by the Daily Mail, the Texans explained in a statement: “We held a pregame moment of silence for all victims of violence and natural disasters across the country. Given the recent tragedies, we felt it was inappropriate to single any out, which might overshadow others.”
Despite this, several fans criticized the decision not to name Kirk. One fan commented on X: “The Texans’ moment of silence for ‘all victims of violence and natural disaster’ was bland and out of touch. What a joke.”
Another remarked, “I understand the Houston Texans chose the general approach of ‘Ending all violence.’ While I agree with that goal, they could have mentioned his name.”
The Texas chose not to name Charlie Kirk when holding a moment of silence on Monday night
Kirk was assassinated while speaking to students at Utah Valley University last week
One person even expressed a desire to leave the city, stating, “At the Houston Texans game on Monday night. I’m upset and disappointed they didn’t have a specific moment for Charlie Kirk. The announcer only mentioned victims of violence. Houston isn’t what it used to be. I’m ready to move.”
While another simply put: ‘Way to have no backbone Houston Texans, p****s that was weak’.
The acknowledgement of other recent tragedies was likely a reference to Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death while on a train in Charlotte last month.
Houston’s silence also honored victims of natural disasters two months after the devastating floods which swept through Texas and killed at least 135 people, including 35 children.
Kirk was shot and killed while hosting a Q&A event for Turning Point USA – the nonprofit conservative group he founded in 2012 – at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, with his assassination sending shockwaves across the world.
On Sunday, the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals all halted proceedings before their respective kickoffs to remember the life of the 31-year-old conservative activist.
Yet the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings did not pay tribute to him before their games.
Daily Mail contacted all five teams to ask why they chose not to honor Kirk. Indianapolis explained that the team instead held a moment of silence for Forrest Lucas – founder of Lucas Oil, the namesake of their stadium – which was always planned after he passed away last month. The Lions, Bengals, Ravens and Vikings did not initially respond.
Five NFL teams failed to honor the MAGA star on Sunday, unlike the Dallas Cowboys – who did so before their game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium (pictured)
The Ravens did hold a moment of silence when George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020, and players from both franchises took a knee during the National Anthem in protest months later.
Prior to kickoff between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, the Packers also observed a moment of silence for Kirk.
But the NFL then announced that it would let its teams decide if they want to pay tribute to Kirk this weekend.
The Cowboys, Jets and Titans all broadcast a picture of Kirk on their jumbotrons during a moment of silence. The Saints held a period of silence before the National Anthem in New Orleans.
The Dolphins also held a moment of silence for Kirk, along with the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks ‘and any other victims of violence’.
The Steelers, meanwhile, had their flag at half-staff for their game against the Seattle Seahawks.
