Fact Check: Detroit Lions Owner Sheila Ford Hamp Charlie Kirk Towel Distribution Debunked

• Did Sheila Ford Hamp Hand Out Red and Blue Towels for Charlie Kirk Tribute; the viral story about the Detroit Lions distributing Charlie Kirk towels is false.
• The team and owner Sheila Ford Hamp have not announced any such tribute.
• The Lions previously did not hold a moment of silence for Kirk.
• The NFL allowed individual clubs to decide on their own tributes.
• Always verify viral claims through official team statements or credible news outlets.

A viral social media claim stating Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp announced the distribution of 80,000 red and blue towels in honor of Charlie Kirk has been debunked.

The team has not made any such announcement and has previously opted out of tributes for the conservative commentator.

The Viral Claim About the Lions’ Towel Tribute

A post from the Facebook page “Great Lake Warriors” claimed Sheila Ford Hamp announced 80,000 red-and-blue towels would be handed out free to fans at Ford Field. This post, which garnered tens of thousands of likes, alleged that images and quotes of Charlie Kirk would be displayed for 15 minutes before a game, describing the towels as featuring a “shocking message” that could trigger a political firestorm.

The claim was further amplified by an article on a website called ‘Work Top News,’ which quoted a supposed university sociologist to lend credibility to its story.

Fact Check: The Rumor is Officially Debunked

The claim is false. According to a fact-check report, Sheila Ford Hamp made no such announcements regarding the Detroit Lions honoring Charlie Kirk.

No credible news sources have reported plans for the NFL team to distribute these commemorative towels, and the link in the viral Facebook post leads to a website that is not a reliable source of information. The Lions organization has not released any official statements about future tributes for Kirk.

The Lions’ Actual Stance on Charlie Kirk Tributes

The Detroit Lions were one of several NFL teams that chose not to hold a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following his death in September. This decision was made during their game against the Chicago Bears on September 14 and was consistent with the NFL’s policy of letting individual clubs decide on such tributes.

Sad to say, the Detroit Lions did not pay tribute to Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence. Shameful and petty pic.twitter.com/H6yPGmkQzc

— JP (@JohnIsa69517391) September 15, 2025

Other teams, including the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, also opted out, while teams like the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys held moments of silence.

Understanding Sheila Ford Hamp’s Role

Sheila Ford Hamp is the principal owner and chairwoman of the Detroit Lions, a role she took over from her mother in June 2020. Her leadership marks the first time in NFL history that team ownership passed between two women. A descendant of the Ford and Firestone families, her primary source of income and professional focus is the management of the Lions franchise.

Fabricated stories often use the names of well-known organizations and figures to gain traction. This particular rumor employed several common tactics, including citing a fake expert and framing the event as a “breaking news” secret to create a sense of urgency and importance. The viral nature of the post on social media platforms demonstrates how quickly misinformation can reach a wide audience before it is fact-checked.

Also Read: Kid Rock to Honor Charlie Kirk at Super Bowl 2026 Debunked

Last Updated on October 13, 2025 by 247 News Around The World