13-Year-Old Runner Brannen Beutjer Honors Charlie Kirk and 9/11 Victims During Cross Country Race
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13-Year-Old Runner Brannen Beutjer Honors Charlie Kirk and 9/11 Victims During Cross Country Race
Brannen Beutjer, a 13-year-old cross country runner at Central Middle School, pauses for a moment of silence at the starting line of his race to honor Charlie Kirk and the victims of September 11th, then runs the entire race carrying an American flag he has kept in his backpack since elementary school. His father, Scott Beutjer, describes how the boys' team voted unanimously to support Brannen's tribute even though it meant risking their undefeated season, with every middle schooler on the team raising a hand in agreement before the race began. Despite the 30-second pause, Brannen still manages to pass 80 other athletes and help his team secure the win. Speaking with his father on Fox & Friends First, Brannen explains his deep love for the country and reflects on learning of Charlie Kirk's death the same day it happened, even though he didn't know much about him beforehand.
Brannen Beutjer, a cross country runner at Central Middle School, pauses for a moment of silence at the starting line of his race over the weekend to honor Charlie Kirk and the victims of September 11th. He then runs the entire race carrying an American flag, a display his father says has become a habit since elementary school, when Brannen began carrying the flag in his backpack to and from school.
A Team's Unanimous Support
Brannen's father, Scott Beutjer, explains that when Brannen approached his team about the tribute, the boys risked giving up their undefeated season by allowing him to run as a solo participant during the pause. Their coach gathered the team early that Saturday morning and asked them to vote on it, and every sixth, seventh, and eighth grader on the team, including the eighth graders in their final season, raised their hands in support.
Still Coming Out on Top
Despite the 30-second pause, Brannen was able to catch up and pass 80 other athletes during the race, and the boys' team still won. His father credits Brannen's work ethic and the coaches, teachers, and mentors who have surrounded him throughout his life for shaping the kind of person who would make that choice.
Why Brannen Loves His Country
Asked why he loves the country so much, Brannen says he sees it as built up by great people and wanted to find a way to give something back in return for what those people have done.
Learning About Charlie Kirk
Brannen admits he didn't know a lot about Charlie Kirk beforehand, but recalls coming home from practice on the 10th and sensing that something had changed before learning that Kirk had died.
