The Carolina Panthers swiftly cut ties with a communications staffer after a personal social media post about the Charlie Kirk shooting sparked backlash.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers have parted ways with a member of their public relations staff following a controversial social media post tied to the recent death of political figure Charlie Kirk.
Charlie Rock, who began his tenure with the Panthers as a PR intern and had since been promoted to football communications coordinator, shared a video to his personal Instagram account that drew swift backlash. The post featured Kirk speaking at an event, paired with a caption referencing the incident and a screenshot of the Wu-Tang Clan track “Protect Ya Neck.”
Following internal review, Rock is no longer employed by the organization, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The team responded publicly with a statement on X, formerly Twitter, making clear its stance on the issue: “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.”
This situation underscores the growing scrutiny professional sports organizations face regarding employee conduct on social media-particularly when posts intersect with sensitive political or societal events. For the Panthers, it’s a reminder that while players and staff are entitled to personal expression, the franchise must also uphold a clear standard for public-facing behavior.
As the team continues its preparations for the season, the focus within the building remains on football. But moments like this show how off-the-field actions can quickly become organizational matters, especially in today’s hyper-connected media landscape.