Jake Paul, Dave Portnoy, Ryan Garcia Speak Out on Charlie Kirk Shooting

The sports world is stunned and devastated over the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon ... with notable figures sharing their prayers and reactions to the incident prior to the announcement of his death.

Names like Jake Paul, Le'Veon Bell, Dave Portnoy, Ryan Garcia, Riley Gaines, Bruce Pearl and Antonio Brown have taken to social media to address the shooting ... with each wishing the best for Kirk before President Donald Trump revealed the activist did not survive.

Paul wrote on X ... "Charlie Kirk got shot for telling the truth. That is literally it. What a mentally sick time we are living through We need god more than ever."

"Praying for Charlie’s family and praying for these evil people to heal."

Hall of Famer Brett Favre also shared his feelings prior to Kirk's death ... saying, "I'm at a loss for words. Only thing I can think of is tragic."

"Please keep @charliekirk1776 and his family in your prayers…"

The sports figures join politicians like POTUS, California Governor Gavin Newsom and  Vice President J.D. Vance ... who also denounced what transpired on the college campus.

New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart also shared a heartfelt message for Kirk ... adding an Instagram Story before the news broke.

President Trump posted on Truth Social minutes ago ... 31-year-old Kirk had passed away.

"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," Trump said. "He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us."

Portnoy posted a reaction to the passing ... saying, "RIP Charlie Kirk. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is of Charlie or his politics if you don’t view this as one of the darkest days in American history than you are part of the problem."

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker also shared his condolences ... adding, "Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11. Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and father. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them."

"May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen"

Video from the scene showed hundreds of students gathered to listen to Kirk when he was struck. Immediately after, attendees scrambled to safety.