Cubs infielder Matt Shaw defends missing game to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial service

Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw said he thought it was "really important" for him to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial service on Sunday, adding he isn't paying attention to the backlash for leaving his team as they jockey for playoff positioning

Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw said he thought it was "really important" for him to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial service on Sunday, adding he isn't paying attention to the backlash for leaving his team as they jockey for playoff positioning.

Shaw missed the Cubs' game against the Cincinnati Reds to attend his friend's service in Glendale, Arizona. He told reporters that he had known the assassinated conservative figure since they lived in the same apartment building in Arizona.

Kirk was shot as he spoke at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with aggravated murder and obstruction of justice, among other counts.

"He texted me after every game, you know, ‘Great win for the Cubbies.’ He was super super supportive of us, and obviously someone who’s really faithful, so we connected on that front as well," Shaw said of Kirk.

He said Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, texted him and invited him to the service, which was also attended by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, a number of Cabinet officials, and billionaire tech executive Elon Musk.