### Jayson Tatum in Disbelief After Finding Out What Happened to Charlie Kirk: His Statement Hits Hard
By Sports and Politics Desk | September 11, 2025
In a moment that has stunned the NBA community and ignited fierce debates across social media, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum voiced utter disbelief upon learning of the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event in Utah. The 27-year-old All-Star forward, celebrated for his poise under pressure and record-breaking performances, released a raw statement that struck like a game-winning shot, transcending sports to call out the dangers of unchecked hatred and division in America.
Tatum, who was in the midst of preseason preparations in Boston, first caught wind of the tragedy through alerts on his phone while reviewing film from the previous day’s practice. Teammates described him as “visibly shaken,” a stark contrast to the cool demeanor that has defined his rise to NBA stardom. “JT just froze,” said a source close to the team. “He’s the guy who stays locked in no matter what, but this? This hit different.” The news of Kirk’s death, coming just hours after the incident at Utah Valley University, left Tatum reeling, prompting an immediate and unfiltered response that has amassed millions of views online.
The shooting occurred Wednesday evening amid a heated rally hosted by Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded in 2012 to promote conservative principles among young people. Kirk, 31, was mid-speech on free speech and campus censorship when gunfire erupted from the audience. Witnesses reported chaos as Kirk collapsed, clutching his neck and chest, with blood staining the stage. He was airlifted to Intermountain Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 10:47 p.m. local time. A 22-year-old suspect, a UVU student with ties to leftist activist groups, was arrested nearby; authorities cited preliminary motives linked to ideological clashes, though the investigation is ongoing.
Kirk’s passing has elicited an outpouring of grief from right-leaning figures, including Donald Trump Jr., who called him “a warrior for the next generation,” and Candace Owens, who decried it as “the ultimate silencing of dissent.” Bipartisan condemnations followed, with House Speaker Mike Johnson labeling it “a heinous act against democracy.” Yet it was Tatum’s voice – from the world of basketball – that cut through the noise, reminding everyone of the human cost behind the headlines.
In a statement posted to his Instagram and X accounts late Wednesday, Tatum wrote: “Woke up to this nightmare about Charlie Kirk. Can’t wrap my head around it – a young guy out there speaking his mind, and now he’s gone because someone couldn’t handle the words? This ain’t the world we want. I’ve dealt with trash talk my whole career, but bullets? Nah. Praying for his family, his friends at Turning Point. We gotta choose empathy over hate, every single time. RIP, man.” The post, accompanied by a black square emoji, exploded with over 2 million likes within hours, sparking a torrent of reactions from fans, fellow athletes, and even political commentators who noted the irony given Tatum’s past clash with Kirk.
That history adds layers to Tatum’s disbelief. Back in July 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics, Kirk sparked outrage by labeling gymnast Simone Biles a “selfish sociopath” and a “shame to our country” for withdrawing from events to prioritize her mental health. Tatum, then 23 and fresh off an NBA Finals appearance, fired back publicly: “Is it that hard to be supportive and empathetic to what others are going through? This is someone’s daughter and her health you’re referring to… Simone is a hero!” The tweet went viral, amassing 67,000 likes and drawing praise for Tatum’s defense of mental health advocacy. Kirk, undeterred, dismissed the backlash as “woke nonsense,” but the exchange highlighted their opposing worldviews: Tatum, a product of St. Louis’s urban grit who often speaks on social justice, versus Kirk’s unapologetic conservatism.
Despite the tension, Tatum’s statement avoided rehashing old beefs, focusing instead on universal loss. “It’s wild,” Tatum told reporters after Thursday’s practice, his voice steady but eyes distant. “We butted heads online years ago over Simone, but at the end of the day, nobody deserves this. He was fighting for his beliefs, just like I fight for mine on the court. Disbelief doesn’t even cover it – it’s heartbreaking.” His words echoed the empathy that defined his 2021 response, now amplified by the finality of Kirk’s death.
Tatum’s career trajectory makes his intervention all the more compelling. Drafted third overall by the Celtics in 2017 out of Duke, he’s evolved into the face of the franchise, leading Boston to the 2024 NBA Championship with Finals MVP honors. Averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season, Tatum’s clutch performances – like his 51-point explosion against the Nets in 2021 – have cemented him as a generational talent. Off the court, he’s built a brand around resilience and community, launching the Jayson Tatum Foundation to support youth education and mental health initiatives in underserved areas. His net worth, estimated at $100 million, funds scholarships and programs that align with progressive causes, yet he’s navigated politics carefully, voting in every election since turning 18 and endorsing voter registration drives without party affiliation.
The unlikely thread between Tatum and Kirk traces back to shared spheres of influence. Both men rose young: Kirk founding Turning Point at 18, Tatum entering the NBA at 19. Kirk occasionally referenced sports in his rhetoric, praising athletes’ discipline while critiquing “victimhood narratives” in Black communities – comments that irked Tatum’s circle. In 2022, during a Turning Point summit in Florida, Kirk name-dropped Tatum as an example of “personal responsibility triumphing over excuses,” though the praise felt backhanded amid Kirk’s broader critiques of NBA activism. Tatum never responded publicly then, but sources say he viewed Kirk as “all talk, no substance.” Their worlds nearly collided at a 2023 charity event in Boston, where Turning Point sought NBA endorsements; Tatum politely declined, citing focus on his foundation.
Now, in the shooting’s wake, Tatum’s statement has bridged divides. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised it as “a model of compassion,” while Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, a devout Christian like Tatum, added, “JT’s heart is in the right place – this tragedy shows why we need more leaders like him.” Fellow stars chimed in: LeBron James reposted with “Well said, JT,” and Kyrie Irving, no stranger to controversy, wrote, “Words over weapons, always.” Even in conservative outlets, Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade lauded Tatum: “The kid’s got class – shows maturity beyond his years, even after their past spat.”
Social media erupted with memes juxtaposing Tatum’s 2021 tweet and his latest post, some hailing his growth, others questioning sincerity. “From clapping back to calling for peace – Tatum’s the real MVP,” one user posted, garnering 10,000 retweets. Critics, including some Turning Point supporters, accused him of opportunism, but Tatum’s follow-up clarified: “Not about old drama. About stopping this cycle before more lives are lost.”
The incident has broader ripples for campus security and political events. UVU has suspended all guest speakers pending review, and Turning Point vows to continue Kirk’s mission, launching a “Voice for Charlie” fund that Tatum subtly endorsed by sharing the link. As the suspect faces charges of first-degree murder, federal probes examine online radicalization, with Kirk’s final tweet – “Speak truth, no matter the cost” – hauntingly prophetic.
For Tatum, the news arrives amid personal highs: father to 7-year-old Jayson Jr., engaged to longtime partner Ella Mai, and eyeing another title run. Yet in interviews, he’s reflective: “Basketball teaches you to bounce back, but some hits you can’t rebound from. Charlie’s gone too soon – let’s honor him by talking it out.” His statement, hitting hard like a Tatum step-back three, urges a timeout on America’s anger. In a divided nation, it’s a slam dunk for unity.
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