The NFL said it was “the league’s decision” to hold a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk ahead of Thursday night’s game between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers.
It’s up to the clubs whether or not they will hold moments of silence during the Week 2 games on Sunday, the league said in a statement Friday.
“There have been a variety of moments of silence and tributes in-stadium and on-air in all games or a game immediately following events that rise to a national level,” the NFL said in the statement. “Clubs also often hold moments following a tragic event that affects their community.
“There have been moments following school shootings or an attack on a house of worship such as the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. There also have been moments following major international incidents such as Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and weather-related incidents such as major hurricanes and fires. This is in addition to honoring those in the NFL family from tributes to recently passed players or personnel, or a player such as Damar Hamlin in 2023. The NFL also honored, before Super Bowl LIV, NBA star Kobe Bryant and the other victims of the helicopter crash (Gianna Bryant, Sarah and Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan) and also Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Doleman who passed that week.”
