A FORMER ESPN staffer has revealed “disturbing” messages she received after Charlie Kirk’s death.
Sam Ponder, a former 10-year veteran at ESPN, was flooded with messages after mourning Charlie Kirk.
Sam Ponder has revealed she received ‘disturbing’ messages after Charlie Kirk’s death[/caption]
Kirk’s assassination inspired many tributes across the sports world[/caption]
She posted a message on X after Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University.
“I mourn for Charlie’s family. I mourn for our country,” Ponder wrote.
“But I have renewed hope that many, like me, will find the courage to lovingly speak the truth boldly in the public square, as he often did.”
On Saturday, Kirk revealed that she was receiving DMs about her post.
“My DMs are more disturbing than ever (and trust me, that’s sayin something),” she wrote.
“Apparently only perfect people can be mourned when they’re murdered in their 30s with a wife and young children.
“When a man is shot, debating opinions with anyone for all to see, he must align with our chosen dogma perfectly.
“If not, he had it coming/shouldn’t have said those mean things, so you should shut up about it.
“How can we see someone post about sadness over the death of ANYONE they cared about, even someone we think was flawed, and say ‘Stop being sad about them. I didn’t like their opinions.’
“Mourn with those who mourn. If I ever see hypocrisy, let me see it in myself.
“God forbid every word we’ve ever spoken be the prerequisite for sympathy when we die.”
Ponder left ESPN in 2024 after 13 years with the network and has since pursued new opportunities.
She was not alone in her mourning of Kirk, as many others in the sports world followed suit.
The New York Yankees held a moment of silence for Kirk hours after he was killed.
Elected officials reaction to Charlie Kirk shooting
- Vice President JD Vance: “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.”
- Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “Political violence must be always and totally rejected,” Buttigieg wrote on X. “Praying for him and all who may have been injured or impacted.”
- California Governor Gavin Newsom: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying. Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm. I’m sending my sympathies to his family and friends at this time.”
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: “The way to resolve political disputes is not through violence. The way to do that is to ask questions, debate. An attack on the idea that we resolve these things through reasoned debate and elections.”
- NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani: I’m horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country.”
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Praying for @charliekirk11″
Multiple NFL teams also honored Kirk on Thursday and Sunday.
On top of people honoring Kirk, many sports staffers have been fired for controversial posts about him after his death.
A Carolina Panthers staffer was fired for their posts.
A member of Joe Burrow‘s charity board was removed from their position for similar posts.
