Overview
- Turning Point USA organized a parking-lot giveaway of 5,000 replica ‘FREEDOM’ T‑shirts before the game, with video showing a long line wrapping through Beaver Stadium’s lots.
- The shirts mirrored the one Charlie Kirk wore when he was shot on September 10 at Utah Valley University, and the choice of white aligned with Penn State’s annual White Out.
- TPUSA and allied organizers paired the tribute with on-site voter registration, with a field representative posting that he registered at least one new voter at the tailgate.
- Photos and clips showed some fans wearing the shirts inside the stadium, but claims that thousands wore them or that the student section was ‘taken over’ were disputed by reporting that noted the White Out and limited visible evidence.
- Oregon defeated Penn State in double overtime, Erika Kirk cheered the Ducks on social media, and coach Dan Lanning publicly offered condolences to the Kirk family while urging unity.