The Carolina Panthers have dismissed a staff member after an insensitive social media post about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.
Charlie Rock, a football communications coordinator for the team, posted remarks about Kirk’s death on his personal Instagram account Wednesday. The comments came only hours after Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Rock pasted a picture of Charlie Kirk on stage with the caption: “Why are yall sad? Your man said it was worth it…”
He also included the Wu-Tang Clan song “Protect Ya Neck” in his Instagram story.
Team officials responded swiftly, after firing him, they issued a statement on the social media platform X clarifying that Rock’s views were his own and did not represent the Panthers.
The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 11, 2025
