A rumor sweeping through social media claimed that Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp announced plans to distribute 80,000 red and blue towels in tribute to Charlie Kirk. This claim, however, has been thoroughly debunked.

No such announcement has been made by the team, which has previously refrained from organizing any tributes for the conservative figure.

The Viral Claim About the Lions’ Towel Tribute

The misinformation originated from a Facebook page named “Great Lake Warriors,” which asserted that fans at Ford Field would receive the towels for free. The post, which attracted tens of thousands of reactions, claimed that images and quotes of Charlie Kirk would be displayed for 15 minutes before a game, suggesting the towels carried a “shocking message” poised to ignite political debate.

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 assertion is entirely false. Fact-checking investigations have confirmed that Sheila Ford Hamp has not announced any plans involving Charlie Kirk tributes by the Detroit Lions.

There has been no coverage by reputable news outlets regarding the NFL team distributing these towels. Additionally, the link provided in the viral Facebook post directs users to a website lacking credibility. The Lions organization has not issued any announcements concerning potential 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.