Carolina Panthers Dismiss Employee Over Insensitive Charlie Kirk Assassination Posts
SHOCKING FURY: Panthers Fire Employee Over Sickening Posts Mocking Murder of Conservative Icon Charlie Kirk
In a jaw-dropping move, the Carolina Panthers have reportedly canned a junior employee over his insensitive posts on Instagram regarding the tragic murder of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk. The controversy has sent shockwaves throughout the sports world and beyond.
According to Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer, Charlie Rock - who served as the Panthers' Football Communications Coordinator - was let go by the team due to his alleged posts on social media. Rock's behavior has been widely condemned, with many calling for greater sensitivity in the wake of such a horrific event.
For those who may not be aware, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a Q&A event for Turning Point USA, the conservative nonprofit organization he founded in 2012. The assassination sent shockwaves around the world, leaving fans and fellow conservatives reeling.
Now, it appears that Rock's actions on social media have come back to haunt him. According to reports, Rock shared a video of Kirk saying that some gun deaths are "worth it" in order to protect Second Amendment rights. In his own comment, Rock wrote: "Why are y'all sad? Your man said it was worth it..."
But that's not all - another screenshot appears to show Rock's Instagram account posting the song "Protect Ya Neck" by the Wu-Tang Clan after Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday.
The Panthers have issued a statement, condemning Rock's behavior and distancing themselves from his views. "The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers," they said in a statement. "We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual."
But will Rock's firing be enough to quell the outrage? Only time will tell.
So, who is Charlie Rock? According to his LinkedIn profile, Rock first joined the Panthers as an intern in June 2024 before being promoted to Football Communications Coordinator in June of this year. The University at Albany graduate, who earned a Bachelor's degree in Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management, previously worked as a football communications associate for the Chicago Bears and as PR staff for the College Football National Championship.
And what about Charlie Kirk himself? A married father of two, Kirk was hit by a single bullet while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University. He collapsed immediately after being shot and was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Kirk's murder is ongoing, with the FBI and Utah police working tirelessly to track down the shooter. Meanwhile, three high-profile NFL stars have spoken out against Kirk's assassination, condemning the violence in powerful terms.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was among those who expressed their outrage on social media. "This is some bull s* man!!! Absolutely sickening!!!" he wrote alongside a video of the shooting. "Praying for him and his family... Charlie did great things for our country!! Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!!"
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson didn't reference the incident directly, but reposted a poignant message on X that read: "Celebrating the death of someone you don't share the same beliefs as is wild. Seeing it play out in real time is disgusting."
And Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker took to social media to pay tribute to Kirk's faith and commitment to his family. "Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11," he wrote. "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."
As the news of Rock's firing continues to spread, one thing is clear: in the wake of such tragedy, we must all strive to be more sensitive and compassionate towards one another.
Sources:
- The Charlotte Observer
- The Scholarly Note