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A number of NFL teams held a moment of silence on Sunday to honor Charlie Kirk after his assassination in Utah this week.
The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys all halted proceedings before their kickoffs to remember the life of the 31-year-old MAGA star.
Prior to kickoff of the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, the Packers also observed a moment of silence for the controversial political figured.
But the NFL then announced that it would let its teams decide if they want to pay tribute to Kirk this weekend.
The NFL released a statement in a response to a PFT question regarding the gesture, revealing that the choice was made by the league. However, they will leave it up to teams moving forward.
'Last night's moment was the league's decision. It's up to the clubs for this Sunday's games,' the statement read. '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. Clubs also often hold moments following a tragic event that affects their community.
The Dallas Cowboys were among the NFL teams to hold a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk
The New York Jets also honored the MAGA star following his assassination on Wednesday
'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.
'In just this calendar year: Lift Every Voice and Sing has been performed at league events since 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the events of the summer of 2020, including last Thursday during the Kickoff game in Philadelphia. It is also performed before the Super Bowl.
'This summer before the Hall of Fame game in Canton, the league honored the victims and those impacted by the attack at 345 Park Avenue. During Week 18 games last season, the NFL honored the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack.
'Also, that season the NFL held a moment to recognize those lost in the deadly crashes near Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia and also prior to the Vikings-Rams Wild Card game that was moved from LA to Arizona due to the wildfires.'
More to follow.
