Although the vast majority of responses mocked Kirk, a small number seemed to agree with his choice.

“I hate to defend the worst person ever, but… Autzen Stadium has recorded sound pressure levels over 125 dB… regularly over 110 dB…” one user noted. “ESPN has made TV content about how loud it is…Charlie is actually smart about wearing earplugs…you should too.”

Kirk didn't respond to the mockery on X, but it appears he took the criticism seriously.

Just a day later, Kirk posted what appeared to be the exact same picture on his Instagram account. While everything else in the photo matches, there was one small difference: the earplugs were gone.

“Another year older and an Oregon win this weekend to celebrate,” Kirk wrote. “Now let’s save the country.”

And at least one user on X also noticed and accused Kirk of Photoshopping the image.

“The guy cut out his earbuds for Instagram. Not good for the movement,” they wrote.

As of Tuesday, Kirk has not mentioned the missing earbuds on either X or Instagram.

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