https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-explains-decision-to-call-for-thursday-night-moment-of-silence-for-charlie-kirk
During Thursday night’s Commanders-Packers pregame show on Prime Video, host Charissa Thompson threw to video from “moments ago” in which the “Packers and the NFL observed a silent reflection following [Wednesday’s] events.”
Over video of the packed stadium, the P.A. announcer said this: “The National Football League asks that you please join us in a moment of silent reflection following the murder of Charlie Kirk. The NFL condemns all violence in our communities. It will take all of us to stop hate. Thank you.”
In response to an inquiry from PFT regarding how the gesture came to be, and whether it will be repeated at the remaining Week 2 games, the NFL provided the following statement:
“Last night’s moment was the league’s decision. It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games.
“There have been a variety of moments of silence and tributes in-stadium and on-air in all games or a game immediately following events that rise to a national level. Clubs also often hold moments following a tragic event that affects their community.
“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. 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.
“In just this calendar year:
“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.
“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.”
Again, it was an NFL decision, not a Packers decision, on Thursday night. For the balance of the weekend, it will be up to the teams hosting the games, not the league.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-explains-decision-to-call-for-thursday-night-moment-of-silence-for-charlie-kirk
