Former ESPN personality Sam Ponder says she’s been bombarded with “disturbing” private messages after posting a tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University last week.
A Tribute Met With Backlash
Ponder, who worked at ESPN for more than a decade and hosted Sunday NFL Countdown, mourned the 31-year-old MAGA figure on social media following his tragic death. But instead of support, she says she received an unusually high volume of hate-filled responses.
“My DMs are more disturbing than ever (and trust me, that’s sayin something),” Ponder wrote. “Apparently only perfect people can be mourned when they’re murdered in their 30s with a wife and young children.
“When a man is shot, debating opinions with anyone for all to see, he must align with our chosen dogma perfectly. If not, he had it coming… How can we see someone post about sadness over the death of ANYONE they cared about, even someone we think was flawed, and say ‘Stop being sad about them. I didn’t like their opinions.’ Mourn with those who mourn.”
Ponder concluded her message by urging self-reflection, adding, “God forbid every word we’ve ever spoken be the prerequisite for sympathy when we die.”
Her ESPN Exit Still Looms Large
Ponder was released by ESPN in August 2024, just two years into a three-year, $3 million contract. Though the network cited cost-cutting as the reason, her exit came weeks after she spoke out against boxer Imane Khelif, who won Olympic gold in Paris amid controversy over eligibility in women’s competition.
The timing fueled speculation that her outspoken views played a role in her departure.
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NFL Controversy and Support From Colleagues
Kirk’s assassination has also created ripple effects in the sports world. While most NFL teams held moments of silence before their Week 2 games, five franchises — the Lions, Bengals, Ravens, Colts, and Vikings — did not. The omission sparked outrage, with fans and commentators accusing those organizations of selective activism.
Ponder’s former ESPN colleague Sage Steele was among those who criticized the decision, writing on X: “Disappointing. Especially considering how vocal these 4 teams were after George Floyd’s death. What a missed opportunity to condemn violence… and preach diversity of thought and peace.”
Steele also revealed she faced online vitriol after her post, echoing Ponder’s experience.
The Suspect in Custody
Authorities in Utah have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with Kirk’s killing. Robinson, who prosecutors say held a “leftist ideology” and may have been radicalized online, has been charged with capital murder.
He appeared in court this week wearing a suicide-prevention vest and speaking only to confirm his identity. He has been held without bail since his arrest.
A Difficult Conversation
For Ponder, the backlash underscores how polarized the public has become. What she intended as a human expression of grief quickly turned into another front in America’s culture wars.
And while she no longer sits at ESPN’s anchor desk, her willingness to speak out — and endure the response — shows that Ponder is still very much part of the national conversation.
The post Former ESPN Host Sam Ponder Says She’s Received “Disturbing” Messages After Sharing Post Mourning Charlie Kirk appeared first on TMSPN.
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