The NFL’s Week 2 matchups on September 14, 2025 turned into more than just football. Across stadiums nationwide, fans witnessed an unusual spectacle: moments of silence held in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
From Arizona to Miami, Dallas to New Orleans, players, coaches, and crowds paused before kickoff to pay tribute. Many teams wove the remembrance into existing 9/11 memorials, creating a solemn atmosphere that surprised even longtime NFL watchers.
But the biggest shock of the day? Not every team participated. Reports confirm that four NFL franchises declined to join in, standing apart as the rest of the league observed Kirk’s passing. While the exact reasons weren’t made public, the move sparked immediate speculation — and a storm of debate online.
Fans flooded social media with reactions ranging from praise for the tributes to outrage over the refusals. Some accused the four teams of being “disrespectful,” while others argued that politics has no place on the football field.
For now, the NFL has not issued an official league-wide statement, leaving the spotlight squarely on the franchises that chose silence of a different kind.
