"It depends on the politics": NFL teams' tribute to Charlie Kirk draws comparisons to 2016 Colin Kaepernick protest sparking heated debate among fans

Charlie Kirk’s death has shaken the nation and the NFL has also been a topic of discussion amid all the mess. Charlie Kirk’s death has been a controversial topic with many of his fans mourning his untimely death, while some dig up his older controversial statements.

Amid this, fans are comparing NFL teams paying tribute to Charlie Kirk to Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 controversy; two events that have mixed politics with football.

NFL teams paying tribute to Charlie Kirk have fans comparing it to Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 controversy

A few hours ago, a fan by the username @Richard_ezio posted a picture of one of the NFL teams dedicating a tribute to Charlie Kirk alongside a picture of Colin Kaepernick kneeling down during the national anthem in 2016 to protest against the police brutality and racial injustice that African American people face.

The caption of the post read as, “I guess it depends on the politics they agree with…” and it sparked a debate among fans.Some fans feel many of the NFL teams should have skipped paying a tribute to Charlie Kirk when Colin Kaepernick was heavily criticised for protesting in 2016.A fan by the username @MMBeckerman wrote, “And this tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about those NFL team owners. Now do you see what you are supporting when you go to those games and buy those tickets?”

Another fan by the username @StraitPressure wrote, “It’s crazy because when I heard about the NFL honoring Kirk, I immediately thought about @Kaepernick7 and how they black balled him out of the NFL and gave that man a hard time for protesting police brutality, fighting against racial injustice and systemic racism and standing up for slain black men and women.”

A third fan by the username @TheChefTrevor posted, “Billionaires own NFL teams. Trump gives tax breaks to billionaires to line their pockets. Make sense now? Always.... Follow the money.”Another fan by the username @Off_Grid_Ron wrote, “Always. When it's convenient.”However, other fans feel it was justified that many NFL teams paid a tribute to Charlie Kirk’s untimely death.

Many fans feel that all NFL teams should have paid a tribute to Charlie Kirk

A fan by the username @adam_lax12 wrote, “Lol the left are insufferable.

Comparing a guy getting offed on video for everyone to see to a guy that took a knee and disrespected the flag, and the men and women that fight to uphold what the flag represents. F*ck colin Kaepernick.”· Another fan by the username @KobeeeeGoat wrote, “Honoring a man that was assassinated in broad daylight is not the same as an active player protesting the anthem.”·

A third fan by the username @GracieLouant posted, “No, I don't care what peaceful political protest you want to do during a game but you have to be able to accept there will be some consequences.

I also think in the same breath you should be able to have a moment of silence for someone who was assassinated in front of the world.” On Sunday, the teams which held a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk includes the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys.The NFL’s official statement for this movement read as, “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.” Also Read: "The threats she receives": Taylor Swift’s extreme security at Chiefs game has fans linking it to Charlie Kirk incident