Houston Texans Have Pregame Moment Of Silence For Victims Of Violence But Don't Mention Charlie Kirk

Add the Houston Texans to the list of teams that used their home game during the NFL's Week 2 schedule to pause for a pregame moment of silence, although the team's effort before the Monday Night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not mention Charlie Kirk.

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Detailed view of the Crucial Catch logo prior to an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Texans Honor ‘All The Victims’

At approximately 6:40 p.m. ET or about 20 minutes prior to kickoff the Texans broadcast this message over their stadium public address at NRG Stadium:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are asking all families to join us in a moment of silence to honor all the victims of violence and natural disasters across the country.

"It's our hope that together, we condemn all forms of violence. Thank you."

The pause in the pregame program lasted 10 seconds. It was broadcast on ESPN.

OutKick earlier asked the Texans if they planned to have any sort of pregame moment of silence for Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was slain last week.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 06: An Inspire Change logo is seen on the back of the helmet of Houston Texans Running Back Dare Ogunbowale (33) during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts on January 6, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Texans Didn't Wish To Minimize Anyone

Seven other NFL teams hosting home games elected to have such moments of silence or reflection. Five had decided not to have moments of silence that mentioned Kirk.

Those home teams made their own decisions about what to do relative to Kirk. The NFL, meanwhile, decided to do a league-mandated moment of silent reflection prior the Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field.

The Texans sent an explanation to OutKick as to why Kirk's name was not mentioned.

"We held a moment of silence pregame to honor all victims of violence and natural disasters across the country," the club said in a statement. "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."

So obviously the Texans would argue they addressed the Kirk assassination although, you know, they didn't address the Kirk assassination by name.

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 19:  Houston Texans logo wrap lines the field area during the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans on November 19, 2023 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys Did It Right

It should be noted that the Dallas Cowboys, the other NFL club in Texas, absolutely held a pregame tribute for Kirk. And club owner Jerry Jones explained his thinking on the matter afterward.

There is one remaining NFL game left on the schedule and that is the Las Vegas Raiders hosting the Los Angeles Chargers at 10 p.m.

OutKick reached out to the Raiders to ask about their plans for a pregame moment of silence – doing it, not doing it. The Raiders did not respond.

Admittedly, we didn't ask the Raiders whether they were doing it without, you know, mentioning Kirk altogether – a hybrid approach to a tribute the Texans devised Monday evening.