Share and Follow
A rumor circulating on social media claimed that Sheila Ford Hamp, the owner of the Detroit Lions, had announced plans to distribute 80,000 red and blue towels in Charlie Kirk’s honor. This claim has been proven false.
The Detroit Lions have not issued any such announcement and have previously decided against tributes for the conservative commentator.
The Viral Claim About the Lions’ Towel Tribute
On Facebook, a page named “Great Lake Warriors” posted that Sheila Ford Hamp was set to give away 80,000 red-and-blue towels to fans at Ford Field. The post, which attracted tens of thousands of likes, suggested that images and quotes of Charlie Kirk would be displayed for 15 minutes before a game, warning that the towels could spark a political controversy.
The claim was further amplified by an article on a website called ‘Work Top News,’ which quoted a supposed university sociologist to lend credibility to its story.
Fact Check: The Rumor is Officially Debunked
This claim has been debunked. A fact-checking report confirmed that Sheila Ford Hamp has not made any announcements about the Detroit Lions honoring Charlie Kirk.
No legitimate news outlets have reported any plans for the NFL team to hand out these towels, and the link in the viral Facebook post directs users to an unreliable website. The Lions have not released any official statements regarding future tributes to Kirk.
The Lions’ Actual Stance on Charlie Kirk Tributes
The Detroit Lions were one of several NFL teams that chose not to hold a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following his death in September. This decision was made during their game against the Chicago Bears on September 14 and was consistent with the NFL’s policy of letting individual clubs decide on such tributes.
Sad to say, the Detroit Lions did not pay tribute to Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence. Shameful and petty pic.twitter.com/H6yPGmkQzc
— JP (@JohnIsa69517391) September 15, 2025
Other teams, including the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, also opted out, while teams like the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys held moments of silence.
Understanding Sheila Ford Hamp’s Role
Sheila Ford Hamp is the principal owner and chairwoman of the Detroit Lions, a role she took over from her mother in June 2020. Her leadership marks the first time in NFL history that team ownership passed between two women. A descendant of the Ford and Firestone families, her primary source of income and professional focus is the management of the Lions franchise.
Fabricated stories often use the names of well-known organizations and figures to gain traction. This particular rumor employed several common tactics, including citing a fake expert and framing the event as a “breaking news” secret to create a sense of urgency and importance. The viral nature of the post on social media platforms demonstrates how quickly misinformation can reach a wide audience before it is fact-checked.