ESPNYou may not be specifically familiar with ESPN NFL analyst Benjamin Solak. If you looked at him, though, there’s a chance you may recognize him, albeit as someone else entirely: late conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. Ben Solak, an ESPN NFL writer and analyst who started at the company in August 2024, bears a resemblance to late conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September 2025. ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak said he has to either shave or grow out his hair due to people comparing him to Charlie KirkThe comparisons to Kirk have become so rampant that Solak tweeted he’s either going to shave or grow out his hair to differentiate himself from the controversial content creator. Swear to god I thought that was Charlie Kirk — #HTTWFT (@SayNoMore598) August 10, 2026Before joining ESPN, Solak worked with Bill Simmons at The Ringer.