Sports
NFL to let teams decide on Charlie Kirk tributes after mandating moment of silence in recent game
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The NFL released a statement on Friday addressing a recent tribute to Charlie Kirk ahead of its most recent game, and said teams will be left to make their own decisions about whether to follow suit this Sunday.
Thursday night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders featured a moment of silence in honor of Kirk before kick-off.
“Last night’s moment was the league’s decision. It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games,” the league’s statement read, per multiple reports.
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Charlie Kirk attends a TPUSA event in Arizona in 2024. (REBECCA NOBLE/AFP via Getty Images)
The statement further addressed the context of the tribute, comparing it to other moments of silence following tragedies.
“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,” the statement continued.
“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.”
The league made reference to sweeping changes to field and pre-game protocols following the death of George Floyd in 2020, and moments of silence following other tragedies in the past calendar year.
TIMELINE OF CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION
“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,” the statement continued.
“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.”
At least one NFL team has already made it a point to fire an employee who made insensitive comments after Kirk’s assassination.
The Carolina Panthers fired Charlie Rock, a member of the team’s communications department, after social media posts linked to Rock appeared to show him questioning why people were sad that Kirk had been shot and killed.
“The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.”
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Elsewhere in American sports, the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs each held a moment of silence ahead of recent games to honor Kirk following the assassination on Wednesday. Meanwhile, MLB has instructed all teams to, at the very least, keep all American flags at half-staff throughout the weekend in honor of Kirk.
“MLB asked all of the Clubs to follow the direction of the White House Presidential Proclamation and fly flags at half-staff in their ballparks,” an MLB spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
The NHL, NBA and WNBA have made no official statements addressing Kirk’s assassination. Fox News Digital has reached out to all three leagues to ask if they would, but has not received a response.
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Sports
Patriots ‘heartbroken’ as deadly shooting occurs at Brown University
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The New England Patriots organization said it was “heartbroken” over the shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that left at least two people dead and nine others wounded.
Police said a person of interest was in custody early Sunday following the incident. The person was apprehended at a hotel in Coventry but wasn’t immediately identified. Providence police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said the detained person was in their 30s.
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Law enforcement officials carry rifles while walking on a street in a neighborhood near Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
“The New England Patriots are heartbroken by the horrific events at Brown University,” the team said.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected and their families, and we remain grateful to the first responders and law enforcement who acted swiftly to protect the students, faculty, staff and the community.
“We stand with Brown University and our neighbors in Rhode Island during this difficult time.”
The Patriots will take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon. Gillette Stadium is located about 25 miles from Brown University.
The Bills were staying in a hotel near the Ivy League school. The staff and the players were safe, The Athletic reported.

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) stiff-arms New York Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, right, during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
BILLS QUARTERBACK JOSH ALLEN AND WIFE HAILEE STEINFELD ANNOUNCE THEY ARE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD
Brown University has fielded over 50 NFL players. Bills defensive tackle Michael Hoecht is the lone player from Brown who is still in the league. He’s on the injured reserve.
University officials on Sunday canceled all classes, exams and papers for the rest of the fall semester. The school said students were free to leave to go back home. Those who stayed will have access to services and support, Provost Francis Doyle said in a statement.

A police vehicle rests at an intersection near crime scene tape at Brown University, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island, following a Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 shooting at the university. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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“At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now,” Doyle added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Sports
Burnley boss Scott Parker says fans’ booing ‘breaks my heart’
Scott Parker said the sound of Burnley fans booing at the final whistle of Saturday’s 3-2 home loss to Fulham “breaks my heart” after his relegation-battling side fell to a seventh straight Premier League loss.
The Clarets had their chances in the game but where Fulham were clinical, the hosts spurned their best opportunities as Bernd Leno made some critical saves for Marco Silva’s side.
And Burnley’s defence — key to their success in the Championship last term — wilted, badly at fault for Emile Smith Rowe‘s opener and then, after Lesley Ugochukwu levelled, for allowing Calvin Bassey to put the Cottagers back in front.
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Harry Wilson, who set up the first two goals, added a decisive third before the hour with Oliver Sonne‘s consolation too late for the hosts.
Former Fulham boss Parker had already heard chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the visiting fans but it was the boos from the home stands that brought an emotional response.
“That makes me sad, obviously,” he said. “It was only four months ago that I was standing on the balcony in the town centre and all of us were celebrating and the fans were right with us, and within four months that quickly changes.
“I understand their frustration. This is the world we’re in currently. I get it. How the world of football is the instant reaction is to boo…
“I don’t think you can question the commitment of this team. This team are foot to the floor and hugely committed and nothing’s changed. The level of hard work, the commitment we put in to be successful last season is exactly the same now.
“It breaks my heart at the end of the game because we came here today wanting to please our fans and wanting them to support us.”
Parker twice suffered relegation from the Premier League with Fulham and once with Bournemouth and has been here before, but said this season feels different.
“That’s why it’s frustrating,” he said. “I’ve been in relegation fights and I knew the challenge. A team like us coming into the Premier League, the challenge is there.
“There’s a lot of good things and what frustrates me is, I understand from the outside world, at the end of it there’s nothing to show for it. There’s no points and I get the judgment of this world.
“But we’re hugely competitive, we’re dominating in certain moments and we’re just falling short on this lack of focus, lack of urgency, a lack of understanding in this division.”
Fulham moved seven points clear of trouble with their second win away of the season, and first victory at Turf Moor in 74 years.
Boss Marco Silva said: “It’s a well-deserved win, and important win and a big win for us.
“When I was told about Fulham’s record in this match, to not win here since 1951, I was a little bit in shock but we spoke about it and said we have to stop it.”
Wilson now has three goals and three assists in his last four games, and Silva said: “In my opinion he’s in the best moment of his career … I believe this season is going to be his best in terms of numbers.”
Sports
Good to Go: Babar Azam Ready for BBL Opener as a Sixers – SUCH TV
Sydney Sixers’ in-form batter Babar Azam has expressed confidence ahead of the Big Bash League opener, saying the team is “good to go and ready” in an interview with Australian cricket commentators.
The opening T20 match of the Big Bash League is being played today (Sunday) at Optus Stadium in Perth, featuring Babar Azam’s Sydney Sixers against the Perth Scorchers.
The league features a total of 27 matches.
The second-placed Sydney Sixers have unveiled the “Babaristan” Fan Zone in honour of Pakistan’s cricket star Babar Azam.
The franchise announced on its official social media platforms, captioning, “Introducing Babaristan–A Fan Zone Like No Other,” which quickly sparked excitement among cricket fans in both Australia and Pakistan.
In its statement, the Sixers said, “We’re celebrating cricket culture like never before with Babaristan – a fan zone dedicated to Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam.”
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