Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: NFL, United States, Donald Trump
Jack Kenmare
Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker has taken to social media to post a text message he received from American political activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a well-known conservative activist in the United States and a close ally of President Trump, was shot dead on Wednesday while speaking in front of a crowd at Utah Valley University.
The 31-year-old, who was taking part in his 'The American Comeback Tour', was responding to a question about gun violence when a shot rang out around 12:20 local time.
The university later confirmed that a 'single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker' shortly after midday, with the bullet striking Kirk in the neck and fatally wounding him.
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Trump would later announce the death of Kirk on social media platform Truth Social. “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," he wrote. "No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie."
Trump added: "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!”
Many high-profile figures have paid tribute to Kirk in the wake of his death, including former UFC champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, who described the situation as a "sad" moment for the country.
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Three-time Super Bowl winner Harrison Butker also posted on social media, thanking Kirk for being a "strong witness for Christ".
He added: "Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and father. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."
Butker, who delivered a controversial 20-minute speech last year at Benedictine College, would later post a text message he received from Kirk. The Mail claim it was the final words Kirk shared with Butker.
As seen in the screenshot below, Kirk shared a quote from Philippians 3:14, which says: "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.'
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Butker replied: "On the mission. Thank you."
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart called the assassination of Kirk “disgusting and sad” in a post on Instagram.
“Praying for him and his family,” he wrote. “Charlie did great things for our country!! Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!! Pray for our country man. This is disgusting and sad.”
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson also condemned Kirk’s assassination, saying: “Celebrating the death of someone you don’t share the same beliefs as is wild. Seeing it play out in real time is disgusting.”