After the tragic death of political activist Charlie Kirk, the Panthers suddenly found themselves in hot water. Their own P.R. staffer posted a video with a controversial statement almost immediately after Kirk’s passing. Within hours, people started asking questions to the front office regarding the behavior of their staffer. And now, it has responded.

The early reports confirm that the PR staffer is no longer with the team. The Panthers have fired their employee moments after the controversy came to light. “The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers,” the team wrote on ‘X’. “We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.”

The employee had joined the Panthers as a PR intern last year. They were recently promoted to football communications coordinator. While the Panthers didn’t specify how they handled the matter, the word is that the employee’s Instagram has been allegedly taken down or suspended following the controversy. Meanwhile, Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two and a well-known conservative activist and media figure, was at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, for the kickoff of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour.”

A single g–shot fired from a distant rooftop struck Charlie in the neck. On Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed the news through his social media account, writing, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.” In a video circulating online, he was asked about g-n violence and had just responded, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” when the sh-t was fired.

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, built his reputation on sparking heated campus debates on divisive issues ranging from climate change to faith and family values. His death prompted immediate reaction beyond the political sphere, with tributes pouring in from the NFL community. Both rookies and veterans, including Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, publicly honored Kirk’s memory following the news.

From Brett Favre to Jaxson Dart: Reactions poured in after Charlie Kirk’s death

The Packers legend and the Hall of Fame quarterback, Brett Favre, found himself speechless after Charlie Kirk’s death. “I’m at a loss for words,” Favre wrote. “Only thing I can think of is tragic. Please keep @charliekirk1776 and his family in your prayers…” Favre wasn’t the only one struggling to put words together after Kirk’s death. The ripple effect of the tragedy went well beyond politics, landing right in NFL locker rooms.

Players and even league figures stepped forward to react, showing just how far Kirk’s voice had reached. The Giants‘ QB, Jaxson Dart, didn’t mince his words. “Praying for him and his family!! Charlie did great things for our country!! Political Violence NEEDS TO STOP!!” Dart wrote. For a first-year QB, that’s a strong statement, but it speaks to how deeply the incident cut across generational lines in the league.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Joshua Hines Allen was among the first NFL voices to weigh in, stressing that “you don’t have to agree with Charlie Kirk or his views. But taking someone’s life over differences is never justified.”

Soon after, Tavia Hunt brought faith and conviction into the conversation, framing the tragedy through a spiritual lens. “As a society, we must be reminded that human life is sacred and never disposable. We must learn again to disagree with words, not weapons. That is exactly what Charlie Kirk modeled—he met opposition with dialogue, not violence, and proved that conviction and civility can walk hand in hand,” Hunt said.

She followed with, “Evil does not have the final word. Jesus does. And because of Him, Charlie’s voice still echoes—calling us to live with conviction, courage, and hope. Well done good and faithful servant.” These were largely the reactions from those connected to the league.