The internet has a funny, and often frustrating, way of mashing two worlds together that have absolutely no business being in the same sentence.
Take Mark Andrews. He's the Baltimore Ravens' elite tight end, a guy known for his massive frame, reliable hands, and the kind of on-field chemistry with Lamar Jackson that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. Then there's Charlie Kirk, the vocal and highly polarizing founder of Turning Point USA.
You wouldn't expect these two names to pop up in the same news cycle. But in September 2025, a viral firestorm did exactly that, leaving fans confused and Mark Andrews himself forced to step away from the playbook to clear his name.
The Fake Quote That Fooled Everyone
It basically started with a single post on X (formerly Twitter). An account under the name @JDunlap1974 posted a graphic that looked official enough if you weren't looking too closely. It featured a photo of Andrews and a quote that read:
"Football should be about the game, the competition, and the fans – not politics. Stop bringing up Charlie Kirk, because it has nothing to do with what we do on the field."
Within hours, the post had racked up thousands of retweets and millions of impressions. People were losing their minds. Some praised Andrews for "keeping politics out of sports," while others slammed him for being "insensitive" to the news surrounding Kirk at the time.
The problem? Mark Andrews never said it. Honestly, the speed at which this spread was terrifying. It highlights exactly how vulnerable we are to "rage bait" or even just "confirmation bias" bait. People wanted to believe an NFL star was taking a stand, so they didn't bother to check if the words actually came out of his mouth.
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Why Did the Rumor Target Mark Andrews?
If you're wondering why the internet chose Andrews for this specific hoax, you have to look at the timing.
In September 2025, Charlie Kirk was the center of an intense national conversation following his assassination in Utah. It was a chaotic, high-tension moment in American politics. Simultaneously, the NFL season was kicking off, and the Ravens were under a microscope.
Andrews was also dealing with his own professional hurdles. He’d had a bit of a slow start to the 2025 season—catching just two passes for seven yards in the first two games—and fans were already chirping about his role in the offense versus the emergence of Isaiah Likely.
Trolls often target players who are already "in the news" or facing some level of scrutiny. By attaching a controversial political statement to a high-profile athlete during a sensitive week, the creators of the fake quote ensured it would go viral.
Andrews Sets the Record Straight
Mark Andrews isn't exactly a guy who spends all day arguing with people on social media. But this was different. He saw his name being used to push a narrative he hadn't signed up for.
On September 18, 2025, Andrews took to his official X account to shut it down. His response was short and to the point:
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"This is 100% fabricated. You got the wrong person."
That was it. No long-winded PR statement. No political pivot. Just a hard "no."
Later, speaking to local reporters like Giana Han from The Baltimore Banner, Andrews expanded a bit. He mentioned how dangerous it is to jump to conclusions in a world filled with fabricated images and AI-generated nonsense. He basically told everyone to stop, take a breath, and look for facts before hitting the share button.
How to Spot These Fakes Before You Share
This whole mess with Mark Andrews and Charlie Kirk is a masterclass in how "fake news" works in 2025 and 2026. If you want to avoid getting duped next time, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Source: Was the quote reported by ESPN, The Athletic, or a local beat writer? If it's just a random account with a string of numbers in the handle, it's probably fake.
- Look for Video/Audio: In the age of constant media availability, it's rare for a star player to give a "bombshell" quote that isn't captured on camera or at least backed up by a reputable transcript.
- The "Vibe" Check: Does the quote sound like the player? Mark Andrews is known for being team-first and relatively quiet regarding off-field controversies. A sudden, aggressive political stance would be out of character.
The Reality of the "Connection"
To be crystal clear: there is no documented personal or professional connection between Mark Andrews and Charlie Kirk.
Andrews is a professional athlete focused on winning a Super Bowl. Kirk was a political activist. While some NFL figures have historically been linked to Turning Point USA events or conservative circles, Andrews has never been one of them.
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The "moment of silence" controversy also added fuel to the fire. There were rumors and heated Reddit debates about whether NFL teams—including the Ravens—would hold moments of silence for Kirk. While some teams did face backlash for various tributes during that period, the Ravens didn't engage in the way the rumors suggested.
What This Means for NFL Fans
The Mark Andrews and Charlie Kirk saga is a reminder that the "shut up and dribble" (or "shut up and catch") debate is still a minefield.
Athletes are constantly being used as pawns in a larger culture war. Whether it’s fake quotes about political figures or AI-generated images of players endorsing products, the goal is always the same: to get you to react.
For Ravens fans, the takeaway is simple. Mark Andrews is focused on the Detroit Lions, the Buffalo Bills, and the quest for a ring. He isn't interested in being your political spokesperson.
Next Steps for Verifying Sports News:
- Bookmark Verified Beat Writers: For the Ravens, follow guys like Jeff Zrebiec. They are in the locker room and won't post "quotes" that haven't been vetted.
- Verify on Official Team Sites: If a player makes a significant statement, the team's official site or social media will usually acknowledge it or provide the full context.
- Ignore "Graphic-Only" Posts: If a post is just a picture of a player with text over it and no link to a source article, treat it as fake until proven otherwise.