Mixed NFL tributes after Charlie Kirk shooting at UVU

Charlie Kirk, a 31 year old conservative activist and cofounder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University, prompting moments of silence at several professional sports events and a split response across the National Football League as teams weighed whether to hold tributes during Week 2 games. The shooting, which authorities say left Kirk mortally wounded and later pronounced dead at a local hospital, was widely shared on social media by witnesses on the Utah campus.

The NFL directed the Green Bay Packers to hold a pregame moment of silence before Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field, where the public address announcer said, "The NFL asks that you please join us in a moment of silent reflection" and added, "The NFL condemns all violence in our communities." Commissioner Roger Goodell was in attendance. In a statement issued the next day, the league said the Thursday tribute was its decision and that subsequent observances would be left to individual clubs. "Last night's moment was the league's decision. It is up to the clubs for this Sunday's games," the league said.

Teams exercised that discretion unevenly. A...