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

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

Kirk was assassinated 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 obv

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