Five NFL teams failed to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk in their first games since his assassination.
Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead last week while speaking at an event at a university in Utah.
The 31-year-old was fielding a range of questions from a crowd of around 3,000 when he was shot from the roof of a nearby building.
Two days after the assassination, Trump confirmed a suspect – named as Tyler Robinson – was in custody after being turned in by his father.
Several NFL teams – including the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardians – all paid tribute to Kirk before their games on Sunday.
A moment of silence was held at several matches, with pictures of Kirk displayed on big screens around stadiums as fans paid their respects.
But the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings all chose not to pay tribute to Kirk.
The Colts, who play at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana, defended the decision by saying they had already made plans to hold a minute’s silence for Forrest Lucas, founder of Lucas Oil, who passed away last month.
The Lions, Bengals, Ravens and Vikings did not respond when asked by Daily Mail US for comment.
The differing stances came after the NFL announced it would be up to individual teams to decide if they were going to pay tribute to Kirk.
‘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.
‘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.’
Kirk’s body was taken back to his home state on Thursday accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.
His widow, Erika Kirk, said: ‘You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.
‘They should all know this: if you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before you have no idea, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world.’
In a message to Trump, she added: ‘Mr President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too.
‘But most of all, Charlie loved his children. And he loved me. With all his heart. And he made sure I knew that every day.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.