The Joe Burrow Foundation said Wednesday that it had terminated an advisory board member after the person posted comments about the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk that the charity called inappropriate and inconsistent with its values.
The foundation, founded by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in 2022 to provide resources for underprivileged and underserved communities, issued a brief statement saying the individual was no longer associated with the organization and that the comments did not reflect its mission. The statement said the foundation is "committed to accountability and respect for all."
The board member removed was identified by local media as Ohio judge Ted Berry. The Cincinnati Enquirer and other outlets reported that Berry wrote multiple Facebook posts in the aftermath of the Utah shooting that killed Kirk, including one that read, "Rest in Hatred & Division!" Berry also reportedly told another user that Kirk "spewed hate & division," and asked, "How’s he feel about gun violence and gun control in Hell, now?"
Berry told the Cincinnati Enquirer he does not condone violence against any person and said he regretted causing division, adding that such was not his intent and that he hopes for peace. The foundation statement did not name Berry.
Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist and commentator, was shot at a Utah Valley University speaking event earlier this month. Authorities have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect and said he acted alone; Robinson was turned in by his father and is expected to face aggravated murder charges, according to law enforcement statements and subsequent media reports.
The removal of Berry from the foundation’s advisory board follows other high-profile dismissals tied to reactions to Kirk’s killing. The Carolina Panthers fired communications coordinator Charlie Rock after Instagram posts about the assassination, and PHNX Sports dismissed Suns beat reporter Gerald Bourguet over comments on social media. Teams and organizations have been scrutinizing employees’ public comments as the political and social fallout from the shooting has unfolded.
The Joe Burrow Foundation has partnered with schools, youth programs and community organizations in the Cincinnati area since its founding. In its statement announcing the termination, the foundation reiterated its focus on serving young people in underserved communities and said it expected those associated with it to uphold its standards.
The broader response to Kirk’s death has included calls for security reviews at college events, legal action against the suspected shooter, and public discussion across political and media spheres. Officials handling the criminal case have described an ongoing investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting while preparing charges against the suspect.
Representatives for the Joe Burrow Foundation and Judge Berry did not immediately provide further comment beyond statements reported to local media. The foundation’s action reflects a wider trend of organizations distancing themselves from employees or affiliates whose public remarks generate controversy in the wake of high-profile, politically charged incidents.