The Dallas Cowboys held a moment of silence before Sunday’s game at AT&T Stadium to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last week while speaking at Utah Valley University. Fans rose to their feet as the stadium paused to remember Kirk, whose death has drawn tributes and sharp debate nationwide.
The Cowboys were among several NFL teams to acknowledge Kirk over the weekend. The Green Bay Packers also held a pregame ceremony at Lambeau Field, while individual players around the league — including Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson — shared public prayers and calls to end political violence.
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But the league’s response has not been uniform. The NFL left decisions about tributes up to individual teams, resulting in a patchwork of acknowledgments. Some stadiums observed moments of silence, while others made no public mention of Kirk’s death. The variation has fueled criticism from fans on both sides, with some saying tributes were too muted and others questioning whether they belonged at sporting events at all.
For the Cowboys, the gesture came just before one of their most dramatic games in years — a 40-37 overtime win over the New York Giants. Team officials said the moment of silence was a way to recognize the impact Kirk’s death has had on many in the community and beyond.
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