Carolina Panthers fire comms employee over comments on Charlie Kirk assassination

An employee of the Carolina Panthers has been fired after remarks made on social media in the wake of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Kirk died on Wednesday after being shot in the neck while he was at the Utah Valley University campus for an event.

Football communications coordinator for the Panthers Charlie Rock reportedly wrote just hours after the assassination, "Why are yall sad? Your man said it was worth it …" and included a photo of Kirk, per the Charlotte Observer. Also referenced was the Wu-Tang Clan song Protect Ya Neck. 

A source familiar with the team’s decision told the outlet that Rock was fired on Thursday morning. He had interned with the team’s communications department in 2024 and had recently been promoted to a full-time job in the department. 

The Panthers wrote on Thursday morning, "The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual."

Also fired for comments made in the immediate aftermath of the shooting was MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd, who claimed Kirk was "constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech, aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which often then to hateful actions. You can’t stop with these awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place."

The news network later apologized for the comments, with MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler saying in a statement, "During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise."

Dowd wrote on his BlueSky account, "My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk. On an earlier appearance on MSNBC I was asked a question on the environment we are in. I apologize for my tone and words. Let me be clear, I in no way intended for my comments to blame Kirk for this horrendous attack. Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind."