Houston Texans slammed over 'tone deaf' Charlie Kirk snub... before Las Vegas Raiders become sixth team to refuse tribute
By Oliver Salt
Daily Mail
Sep 15, 2025
The Texans chose not to name Charlie Kirk when holding a moment of silence on Monday night
The Houston Texans sparked anger after failing to mention Charlie Kirk during a moment of silence for 'all victims of violence and natural disaster' on Monday night, before the Las Vegas Raiders refused a tribute for the slain MAGA star altogether.
One day after five NFL teams chose not to pay their respects to Kirk, while seven others made sure to honor him before their Week 2 matchups, Houston opted for somewhere in between after sending a broader message prior to their defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium.
Later in the evening, Las Vegas then became the sixth franchise to snub the murdered conservative activist, who was fatally shot in the neck while speaking with students at Utah Valley University last week, when they faced the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
After being approached by Daily Mail, the Texans said in a statement: 'We held a moment of silence pregame to honor all victims of violence and natural disasters across the country. Unfortunately, there have been a number of recent tragedies, so we did not think it was appropriate to single any of them out and minimize the others that have occurred.' The Raiders initially did not respond to a request for comment.
A number of fans were quick to slam both teams for not mentioning Kirk, including one who wrote on X: 'Houston Texans moment of silence for “all victims of violence and natural disaster” was incredibly lame and tone deaf. Absolute joke.'
'I see the Houston Texans took the easy road at “Ending all violence.” Which I do agree with. We need to, but you could’ve at least mentioned his name,' said another.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (in red) stun Texans 20-19 in Houston on Monday night
The Raiders refused a tribute for him altogether during their game later in the evening
Kirk was assassinated while speaking to students at Utah Valley University last week
One even threatened to leave the city after posting: 'At the Houston Texans Monday night football game. Disgusted and disappointed they did not have a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk. All the announcer said was to have a moment of silence for victims of violence. Houston has become a disappointment. Ready to move.'
A fourth put: 'The @HoustonTexans refused to honor Charlie Kirk. They instead honored "all victims of violence and natural disasters." Cowards. Guess it's time for me to find another NFL team. Or quit watching entirely.'
While another simply put: 'Way to have no backbone Houston Texans, p****s that was weak'.
When the Raiders did not stage any tribute in Las Vegas, one user posted: 'Shame on @Raiders for not doing a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk.'
The Texans' acknowledgement of other recent tragedies was likely a reference to Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death while on a train in Charlotte last month.
Houston's silence also honored victims of natural disasters two months after the devastating floods which swept through Texas and killed at least 135 people, including 35 children.
Kirk was shot and killed while hosting a Q&A event for Turning Point USA - the nonprofit conservative group he founded in 2012 - at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, with his assassination sending shockwaves across the world.
Five NFL teams failed to honor the MAGA star on Sunday, unlike the Dallas Cowboys - who did so before their game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium (pictured)
On Sunday, the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals all halted proceedings before their respective kickoffs to remember the life of the 31-year-old conservative activist.
Yet the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings did not pay tribute to him before their games.
Daily Mail contacted all five teams to ask why they chose not to honor Kirk. Indianapolis explained that the team instead held a moment of silence for Forrest Lucas - founder of Lucas Oil, the namesake of their stadium - which was always planned after he passed away last month. The Lions, Bengals, Ravens and Vikings did not initially respond.
The Ravens did hold a moment of silence when George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020, and players from both franchises took a knee during the National Anthem in protest months later.
Prior to kickoff between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, the Packers also observed a moment of silence for Kirk.
Kirk was speaking to students in Utah moments before he was fatally shot last week
But the NFL then announced that it would let its teams decide if they want to pay tribute to Kirk this weekend.
The Cowboys, Jets and Titans all broadcast a picture of Kirk on their jumbotrons during a moment of silence. The Saints held a period of silence before the National Anthem in New Orleans.
The Dolphins also held a moment of silence for Kirk, along with the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks 'and any other victims of violence'.
The Steelers, meanwhile, had their flag at half-staff for their game against the Seattle Seahawks.
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