Former ESPN analyst Sage Steele is calling on professional sports leagues to publicly honor Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk following his assassination Wednesday, drawing a comparison to the way leagues responded after the death of George Floyd, as reported [1] by Fox News.
I love you, Charlie Kirk. And I promise to never be silent again. I promise to never again live in fear.
That’s what these evil people want.
They. Will. Lose. God bless you, Erika. I promise to honor your husband’s legacy forever. pic.twitter.com/2hpsPHTYy1 [2]— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) September 10, 2025 [3]
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while speaking under a white tent at Utah Valley University during his “American Comeback Tour.”
A video from the event captured the moment of the gunfire. President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death at 4:40 p.m. ET, calling him “the Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.”
Trump added:
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Steele posted on social media shortly after the assassination, directly addressing major sports organizations.
“Dear pro sports leagues: Looking forward to seeing you release statements & send condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family after he was murdered for his political beliefs. You know — kinda like you did when career criminal George Floyd died.”
Steele tagged the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, and NHL in her post.
She also praised the New York Yankees, who held a moment of silence for Kirk. Fox News Digital confirmed that other leagues have not yet issued statements. Steele noted that earlier this year, sports teams in Minnesota publicly honored two Democrat lawmakers who were killed.
Dear pro sports leagues: Looking forward to seeing you release statements & send condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family after he was murdered for his political beliefs. You know – kinda like you did when career criminal George Floyd died. @NFL [4] @NBA [5] @WNBA [6] @MLB [7] @NHL [8]
Appreciate…— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) September 11, 2025 [9]
The sports world reacted strongly to the news of Kirk’s assassination. Boxer Jake Paul, former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart were among the first to express condolences.
Others followed, including NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre, former Pittsburgh Steelers stars Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, former wide receiver Golden Tate, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, Yankees World Series champion Mark Teixeira, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, boxer Ryan Garcia, Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl, former MLB pitcher John Rocker, sports broadcaster Michelle Tafoya, and Sports Illustrated journalist Albert Breer.
Kirk, a close ally of President Trump and friend of Donald Trump Jr., co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and built it into one of the largest conservative youth organizations in the country.
His “American Comeback Tour” was scheduled to continue later this month with a stop at Utah State University.
The FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety have said Kirk’s killing was a targeted attack, though the shooter remains at large. Authorities confirmed they recovered the weapon believed to have been used.