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Former ESPN star Sam Ponder has revealed she has received abusive messages after paying tribute to Charlie Kirk.
Ponder, who worked for the network for over a decade, mourned the political activist after he was shot and killed during a public on-campus appearance at Utah Valley University last week.
Yet, just two days after sharing her post honoring the 31-year-old MAGA star, the sports presenter lifted the lid on the direct messages she has received in response, revealing that they were worse than usual.
'My DMs are more disturbing than ever (and trust me, that's sayin something). Apparently only perfect people can be mourned when they're murdered in their 30s with a wife and young children,' the former 'Sunday NFL Countdown' host wrote.
'When a man is shot, debating opinions with anyone for all to see, he must align with our chosen dogma perfectly. If not, he had it coming/shouldn't have said those mean things, so you should shut up about it.
'How can we see someone post about sadness over the death of ANYONE they cared about, even someone we think was flawed, and say "Stop being sad about them. I didn't like their opinions." Mourn with those who mourn. If I ever see hypocrisy, let me see it in myself.
Sam Ponder has revealed she received abusive messages after paying tribute to Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University this week
'God forbid every word we've ever spoken be the prerequisite for sympathy when we die.'
She was fired by ESPN just two years into her three-year, $3 million contract back in August 2024, with her dismissal attributed to cost-cutting measures at the time.
However, the Sunday NFL Countdown host's exit came just weeks after she spoke out against boxer Imane Khelif - who won a women's boxing gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris despite claims she is a biological male.
Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of Donald Trump, was shot and killed while hosting a Q&A event with students at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.
Kirk, a married father of two, was hit by a single bullet while speaking to a crowd at the public university in Orem. He collapsed immediately after and was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings all failed to honor Kirk prior to their Week 2 matchups on Sunday.
Every other home team on the day brought a halt to proceedings to hold a moment of silence, leaving NFL fans furious with the five who chose not to do so.
Ponder's fellow former ESPN star, Sage Steele, was among those to call out the franchises for not honoring Kirk.
The former ESPN star revealed that her DMs were 'more disturbing than ever' in an X post
Kirk's assassination at Utah Valley University last week sent shockwaves across the world
Ponder's fellow ex-ESPN star, Sage Steele, also received abusive messages after her own post
Steele, who left ESPN in 2023 to express her opinions more freely after being suspended over comments about Barack Obama and the Covid-19 vaccine, was one of many who called out the franchises in question, writing on X: ' Disappointing. Especially considering how vocal these 4 teams were after George Floyd’s death.
'What a missed opportunity to condemn violence (as they did in 2020 & beyond) and preach diversify of thought and peace. Sad.'
However, like Ponder, she revealed that she also faced vile backlash in response to her post.
On Friday, authorities in Utah announced they had arrested a suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, in connection with the shooting of Kirk.
Robinson made his first court appearance today via Zoom after allegedly shooting and killing the conservative activist.
He appeared disheveled and expressionless as the judge read out the charges against him. He wore a suicide vest and spoke only to confirm his details during the hearing.
Prosecutors filed capital murder charges against Robinson for the heinous murder of Kirk on Tuesday afternoon.
He has been held without bail since his arrest, and it remained unclear whether he has an attorney. Authorities say Robinson held a 'leftist ideology' and may have been 'radicalized' online before he was arrested for killing the MAGA influencer.
