TPUSA distributes 5,000 'FREEDOM' shirts at Penn State-Oregon game, drawing large crowd

A Turning Point USA event to hand out 5,000 Charlie Kirk “FREEDOM” shirts to fans at the Penn State-Oregon football game drew a long line in Beaver Stadium’s parking lot on Saturday, as fans queued hours before kickoff in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Video of the scene posted by Benny Johnson showed the line wrapping around several parking sections, with supporters cheering as he touted the length of the line and a rallying chant of “USA” erupting from the crowd. The setup was described as a whiteout-in-progress, a Penn State tradition in which fans dress in all white for a home game expected to draw a large turnout.

Turning Point USA announced the plan to distribute 5,000 shirts at the game, a crossover event tied to Charlie Kirk’s profile as a conservative activist who has been honored at various college-football settings in recent years. The announcement was made by Johnson on the Fox-affiliate program Will Cain Country, with Johnson saying the event would take place at the Oregon-Penn State clash because Kirk had long counted Oregon among his favorite programs and because Penn State has a substantial base of Kirk supporters.

Kirk’s supporters have frequently used football events to advance his message after his death in September. The 31-year-old husband and father was killed when a gunman fired from a rooftop at a Utah Valley University event where Kirk had spoken on Sept. 10. In the wake of that incident, Turning Point USA said it would continue Kirk’s mission of “fighting cultural battles” in college spaces, including football venues, which organizers described as a natural arena for outreach given Kirk’s affection for the sport.

The event also intersected with remarks from Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning, who offered condolences to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their children in the wake of his death after Oregon’s 34-14 victory over Northwestern earlier this month. Lanning spoke about the importance of unity within his own locker room, noting the presence of players from diverse racial, religious and cultural backgrounds who work together and emphasize mutual respect. He said there is value in learning from that environment and urged Americans to consider what can be learned from teams that embrace differences while pursuing common goals.

The game itself remains a substantial draw, with Oregon’s visit to State College representing a high-profile matchup that drew attention beyond the on-field competition. The event illustrates how political and cultural advocacy continues to find a home in college sports, a trend that has persisted through multiple seasons as fans, students and teams navigate the intersection of athletics and public discourse.

Separately, a tribute linked to Kirk’s public profile extended beyond football. Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen paid homage to Kirk on the mound with a personalized hat, a gesture that underscores how Kirk’s influence has extended beyond campus arenas into broader sports culture.

As fans filed into Beaver Stadium for the game, organizers and supporters described the shirt giveaway as a peaceful expression of support for Kirk’s ideas and for the broader movement he helped popularize. Critics of the tactic have cautioned that politicization of college sports can complicate the shared experiences of fans and student-athletes, while supporters say such events reflect a long-running enthusiasm for football as a platform for political and cultural dialogue.

Across campuses and stadiums, supporters and detractors alike will be watching how this year’s slate of game-day activities unfolds, including the balance between athletic competition and the broader messages promoted by affiliated organizations. For now, the line outside Beaver Stadium stood as a vivid reminder that college football remains a focal point for communities seeking to blend sport with civic and cultural expression.