Dungy reflects on Charlie Kirk memorial service as thousands honor life of conservative activist
Former NFL coach urges focus on faith and character at Glendale service, where Trump and Musk spoke and hundreds gathered to remember Kirk
Tony Dungy, the Hall of Fame coach and NBC Sports broadcaster, reflected on Charlie Kirk's memorial service, saying the event should be remembered for honoring the activist’s life and the values he stood for, rather than advancing politics. Kirk, 31, was killed earlier this month at an event at Utah Valley University. Thousands gathered over the weekend at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for the service. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s wife, offered a heartfelt tribute, and remarks from former President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk highlighted the high-profile nature of the gathering.
Dungy, who did not attend the service, discussed the observance on OutKick’s "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich." "Take all of the politics out of it. Just say, 'We're going to honor this man's life. We're going to talk about what Christ would say and what He wants to see, and I thought that was done,'" he said.
Matt Shaw, a Chicago Cubs rookie and a friend of Kirk, attended the service after snapping a photo with him alongside teammate Michael Busch at Wrigley Field in the weeks prior to his death. Shaw explained why he left the team to attend the memorial, telling the Chicago Sun-Times that his faith is the driving force behind his daily decisions: "My connection with Charlie was through our [Christian] faith, and that’s something that drives me every day, the reason why I’m able to do what I do every day, and that’s something I’m extremely thankful for." He added that he was prepared for any backlash, saying, "whatever backlash comes is OK." The Cubs were preparing to begin a new series with the New York Mets when Shaw spoke publicly about his decision to attend.
The service's message, centered on remembrance and faith, comes amid a national moment of reflection on how public figures are memorialized when politics often intersects with personal loss. Kirk, a prominent conservative influencer, was killed at a campus event, prompting widespread attention from supporters and critics alike. Organizers and speakers at State Farm Stadium emphasized unity and compassion in the days surrounding the memorial, striving to keep the focus on Kirk's life and beliefs rather than political disputes.
The coverage, including remarks from former President Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, underscored how Kirk's death has resonated beyond traditional political divides. While Dungy did not participate in the ceremony, his reflections contribute to a broader conversation about how public figures are remembered and the role of faith in public life. Fox News Digital provided coverage of the memorial, citing statements from attendees and participants who described the gathering as a moment of personal and communal tribute.
As tributes continued to circulate in the days after the service, the memory of Charlie Kirk remained a touchstone for discussions about faith, civic life, and the responsibilities of public figures to honor the memory of those they influence. In Glendale and beyond, the event stood as a reminder of the ways in which religion, politics, and personal loss intersect in contemporary American discourse.
