How the Sporting World Reacted to Charlie Kirk’s Tragic Death!
Charlie Kirk assassinated in Utah
Charlie Kirk, who rose from a teenage conservative campus activist to a top podcaster, culture warrior, and ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed on Wednesday during one of his trademark public appearances at a college in Utah. He was 31. Kirk died doing what made him a potent political force - rallying the right on a college campus, this time at Utah Valley University. His shooting is one of an escalating number of attacks on political figures, from the assassination of a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota to last summer’s shooting of Trump, that have roiled the nation. Let's take a look at how the sporting world reacted to Kirk's untimely death.
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson made his feelings known in a subtle but powerful way by amplifying the voice of Torrey Smith. Smith’s message cut through the noise on social media, where reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death ranged from shock to disturbing celebrations. “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. Jackson, who rarely weighs in on polarizing political issues, chose to share those words rather than post his own, signaling his agreement without adding to the firestorm. The move reflected both solidarity with Smith and a broader statement on basic humanity - that regardless of one’s politics, reveling in another person’s death is a line that should never be crossed. Jackson’s quiet endorsement resonated with fans who saw it as a reminder that empathy and respect should prevail even in the face of division.
Harrison Butker
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker responded to the news of Charlie Kirk’s death with a message rooted deeply in his Catholic faith. Known for being outspoken about his beliefs, Butker thanked Kirk directly for his “strong witness for Christ” and praised him for pursuing truth while leading his family as both a husband and a father. He closed his statement with a traditional Catholic prayer for the dead, asking for eternal rest and perpetual light to be granted unto Kirk, and extending the blessing to all the faithful departed. In doing so, Butker framed his tribute not only as a personal note of gratitude but also as a spiritual reflection, offering comfort to Kirk’s family and supporters while reaffirming his conviction that faith provides the ultimate answer in moments of tragedy. His reaction stood out among the flood of responses as one that prioritized prayer and eternal perspective over political commentary.
Jaxson Dart
Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart took to Instagram to express both sorrow and frustration in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death. Posting on his story, Dart said he was “praying for him and his family” before emphasizing that Kirk had “done great things for our country.” His message carried a raw and urgent tone, capitalizing key phrases like “Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!!” and “Pray for our country, man.” Unlike some more measured reactions, Dart’s response captured the emotional intensity many young Americans feel watching political differences spiral into deadly consequences. By calling the situation “disgusting and sad,” Dart framed his words as both a tribute to Kirk and a broader condemnation of the toxic environment fueling such violence. For his fans and followers, the post served as a plea not just for mourning but for a cultural reset away from hatred and toward unity.
Dwight Howard
Former NBA star Dwight Howard kept his message short but powerful in response to Charlie Kirk’s death. Posting online, Howard urged his followers to “pray for the world,” adding that “violence is never the answer.” While he didn’t specifically reference Kirk by name, the sentiment was clear: the tragedy had once again highlighted the destructive consequences of hatred and division. Known for blending faith and positivity in his public comments, Howard’s reaction was less about politics and more about a call to humanity, reminding people that prayer and peace should guide our actions in moments of darkness. His simple statement resonated with fans worldwide, serving as a universal reminder that regardless of differing beliefs or backgrounds, violence only deepens wounds that society is already struggling to heal.
Patrick Beverley
NBA veteran Patrick Beverley reacted with raw emotion, posting a short but heartfelt tribute. “RIP 🙏🏾🙏🏾 Prayer for his family and children!!! damn sad 😢,” he wrote. Known for his fiery competitiveness on the court, Beverley’s words here showed a softer side, focusing on the pain left behind for Kirk’s loved ones. His reaction cut through the noise with its simplicity - less about politics, more about grief for a family now forced to cope with sudden loss.
Jake Paul
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul delivered one of the more fiery reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death, framing the shooting as an attack on free speech and truth. “Charlie Kirk got shot for telling the truth. That is literally it,” Paul wrote, before describing the current moment as “a mentally sick time we are living through.” His message blended outrage with a call to faith, declaring, “We need God more than ever,” while also praying both for Kirk’s family and for “these evil people to heal.” Known for his brash personality and willingness to weigh in on controversial topics, Paul’s statement resonated with his massive young audience by underscoring both the tragedy of the act and the cultural chaos surrounding it. His mix of condemnation and faith-based appeal made his reaction one of the more striking celebrity responses.
Pat McAfee
Ex-NFL punter and media personality Pat McAfee delivered one of the most emotional and wide-ranging tributes following Charlie Kirk’s death. In a heartfelt statement, McAfee described Kirk as “a name synonymous with having the courage to speak what you believe and seek conversations with those you disagree with.” He admitted he doesn’t usually wade into politics, but as “a proud American citizen,” the shooting left him “startled, saddening, and maddening all at the same time.” McAfee reflected on how naïve he had been to the extremes of the current climate, saying that watching Kirk “hunted and slayed in broad daylight because of his opinions” left him both disgusted and devastated. He warned that this “can’t be what we actually are or become as a country,” but expressed faith that good people still outnumber evil. McAfee ended his tribute by focusing on the human cost—two children losing their father, a wife losing her husband, and society losing a voice in public discourse—before sending prayers and love to Kirk’s family and friends. His statement captured both personal grief and a broader alarm about the state of the nation.
Sean Strickland
UFC fighter Sean Strickland gave one of the most brutally honest and unsettling responses to Charlie Kirk’s death, admitting his “gut reaction” was excitement upon first seeing the video. He quickly followed that up with a moment of self-reflection, questioning how society had become so “desensitized and sociopathic” that such violence could provoke that kind of initial response. Strickland went further, blaming the government and cultural decay for conditioning people to normalize brutality, saying, “They manipulated us to think death is cool. They ruined America and took God from us.” His words reflected a mix of personal vulnerability and harsh criticism, exposing the darker truth of how violence is consumed in modern society. For fans who know Strickland as someone unafraid of controversial takes, this statement stood out as raw, jarring, and thought-provoking, pushing the conversation beyond politics into a deeper examination of morality and culture.
Ryan Garcia
Boxer Ryan Garcia reacted with anger and disbelief at the way some people responded to Charlie Kirk’s death. Focusing on the personal loss rather than politics, Garcia pointed out that Kirk “had a beautiful family and kids,” yet there were people celebrating simply because he held different views. He blasted those reactions as the work of “weirdos,” showing his frustration with the lack of empathy and humanity in the aftermath of the tragedy. Known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, Garcia’s words captured the outrage many felt at seeing political disagreements override basic compassion. His blunt, no-nonsense tone cut through the noise, highlighting the human cost of the shooting and condemning the culture of division that makes some cheer another person’s death.
Rampage Jackson
Former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson kept his reaction short but powerful, summing up the tragedy in just a few words: “He died for having an opinion… this is sad.” Known for his no-nonsense personality, Jackson didn’t dive into politics or elaborate further, but the weight of his statement hit hard. By framing Charlie Kirk’s death as the ultimate consequence of expressing a viewpoint, Rampage highlighted the dangerous state of discourse in America, where even words can make someone a target. His brief tribute reflected both sorrow and alarm, capturing the raw disbelief that many felt in the wake of the shooting.
John Isner
Former tennis star John Isner didn’t hold back in expressing his outrage at Charlie Kirk’s death. In a passionate statement, Isner said, “If you’re not sick to your stomach with what happened in Utah today then you’re seriously f’d in the head.” He defended Kirk as someone who “spoke truth” and whose platform was built on “having civil conversations with those he didn’t agree with.” For that, Isner noted bitterly, Kirk was shot dead. He also underscored the human tragedy of the loss - reminding people that Kirk was just 31 years old, a husband, a father of two young kids, and a follower of Christ. Isner closed with a simple but powerful tribute: “RIP Charlie.” The statement struck a balance between raw anger and deep sadness, giving voice to both the injustice of the act and the heartbreak left in its wake.
Natalie Decker
NASCAR driver Natalie Decker shared a deeply personal memory in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death. She revealed that she had met Kirk only minutes before one of her appearances on Fox & Friends, and in that brief encounter he had shown nothing but kindness to her, her husband, and her son. “I’m at loss for words,” Decker admitted, before closing with a faith-driven reminder to “always pray, never lose hope.” She ended her message with a heartfelt “Rest in peace” to Kirk. Unlike the broader political statements flooding social media, Decker’s tribute stood out for its intimacy - it was less about Kirk’s public persona and more about the genuine warmth she and her family experienced firsthand. Her words painted a picture of a man who carried his convictions with kindness, making the loss feel all the more human and devastating.
Michael Porter Jr.
Nets' Michael Porter Jr. offered a heartfelt message on his Instagram Story, admitting he hadn’t followed Charlie Kirk’s work closely but was still shaken by the news. “RIP to Charlie smh,” Porter wrote, before adding that “nobody deserves to die like that.” He emphasized the human side of the tragedy, pointing out that Kirk “had a wife and kids,” and lamented that he was “killed for sharing his opinions and giving others the opportunity to share theirs as well.” Porter’s reaction blended empathy with disbelief, underscoring that even without being a follower of Kirk’s politics, the sheer wrongness of the act was impossible to ignore. His closing words—“This is sad man… praying for the family!”—captured a sentiment of compassion that resonated far beyond partisan lines, highlighting the shared humanity in the face of senseless violence.
Brad Keselowski
NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski summed up the emotional whiplash of social media in his response to Charlie Kirk’s death. “Opening up this app feels like a dangerous game - one day inspiring and the next day heartbreaking,” he tweeted. The tragedy clearly left him on the latter end of that spectrum, as he closed by saying both extremes made him “want to hug the family.” Keselowski’s words reflected not only grief but also exhaustion with the unpredictability of online life, where moments of hope are so often followed by devastating news. His reaction was less political and more human, offering a reminder that behind the headlines is a grieving family in desperate need of comfort.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. kept his message simple but heartfelt in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death. Calling it a “very sad day,” he offered prayers not only for Kirk’s family but also for the country as a whole. Stenhouse’s response reflected the dual sense of grief many felt - mourning the loss of a husband and father while also acknowledging the broader wound inflicted on America by an act of political violence. His brief statement carried weight precisely because of its simplicity, highlighting sorrow, compassion, and a desire for healing during a time of national division.
