The Houston Texans faced criticism after opting not to mention Charlie Kirk in their pregame moment of silence dedicated to ‘all victims of violence and natural disaster’ on Monday night. This was further highlighted by the Las Vegas Raiders’ decision to entirely forgo a tribute to the slain MAGA personality.

While five NFL teams chose not to specifically honor Kirk and seven others included him in their Week 2 tributes, Houston struck a middle ground with a general message of condolence before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium.

Later, the Las Vegas Raiders became the sixth team to skip a direct tribute to the conservative activist, who was tragically shot in the neck while engaging with students at Utah Valley University the previous week. This occurred during their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.

After being approached by Daily Mail, the Texans said in a statement: ‘We held a moment of silence pregame to honor all victims of violence and natural disasters across the country. Unfortunately, there have been a number of recent tragedies, so we did not think it was appropriate to single any of them out and minimize the others that have occurred.’ The Raiders initially did not respond to a request for comment.

A number of fans were quick to slam both teams for not mentioning Kirk, including one who wrote on X: ‘Houston Texans moment of silence for “all victims of violence and natural disaster” was incredibly lame and tone deaf. Absolute joke.’

‘I see the Houston Texans took the easy road at “Ending all violence.” Which I do agree with. We need to, but you could’ve at least mentioned his name,’ said another.

One even threatened to leave the city after posting: ‘At the Houston Texans Monday night football game. Disgusted and disappointed they did not have a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk. All the announcer said was to have a moment of silence for victims of violence. Houston has become a disappointment. Ready to move.’ 

A fourth put: ‘The @HoustonTexans refused to honor Charlie Kirk. They instead honored “all victims of violence and natural disasters.” Cowards. Guess it’s time for me to find another NFL team. Or quit watching entirely.’

While another simply put: ‘Way to have no backbone Houston Texans, p****s that was weak’. 

When the Raiders did not stage any tribute in Las Vegas, one user posted: ‘Shame on @Raiders for not doing a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk.’

The Texans’ acknowledgement of other recent tragedies was likely a reference to Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death while on a train in Charlotte last month.

Houston’s silence also honored victims of natural disasters two months after the devastating floods which swept through Texas and killed at least 135 people, including 35 children.

Kirk was shot and killed while hosting a Q&A event for Turning Point USA – the nonprofit conservative group he founded in 2012 – at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, with his assassination sending shockwaves across the world.

On Sunday, the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals all halted proceedings before their respective kickoffs to remember the life of the 31-year-old conservative activist.

Yet the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings did not pay tribute to him before their games.

Daily Mail contacted all five teams to ask why they chose not to honor Kirk. Indianapolis explained that the team instead held a moment of silence for Forrest Lucas – founder of Lucas Oil, the namesake of their stadium – which was always planned after he passed away last month. The Lions, Bengals, Ravens and Vikings did not initially respond.

The Ravens did hold a moment of silence when George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020, and players from both franchises took a knee during the National Anthem in protest months later. 

Prior to kickoff between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, the Packers also observed a moment of silence for Kirk.

But the NFL then announced that it would let its teams decide if they want to pay tribute to Kirk this weekend. 

The Cowboys, Jets and Titans all broadcast a picture of Kirk on their jumbotrons during a moment of silence. The Saints held a period of silence before the National Anthem in New Orleans.

The Dolphins also held a moment of silence for Kirk, along with the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks ‘and any other victims of violence’.

The Steelers, meanwhile, had their flag at half-staff for their game against the Seattle Seahawks.