CMAs Blamed For Charley Pride Death On Twitter: Organizers 'Completely Irresponsible'

The CMA Awards is facing backlash on social media over Charley Pride's death after the country superstar died of complications from coronavirus just a month after performing at the event.

Maren Morris took to Twitter to pay tribute to the 86-year-old musician after Pride's spokesperson confirmed his passing on Saturday. However, she also wondered if Pride contracting COVID-19 had something to do with the 2020 CMA Awards, which was held at Nashville's Music City Center on Nov. 11.

"I don’t want to jump to conclusions because no family statement has been made, but if this was a result of the CMAs being indoors, we should all be outraged. Rest in power, Charley," she tweeted Saturday.

"F--k this f--king year," she added.

Some Twitter users appeared to share her thoughts, blaming the organization for hosting the event indoors during the pandemic and inviting Pride, who was already in his late 80s.

"Gurl I thought the same damn thing," Mickey Guyton wrote.

"Unfortunately there will be no way to know for sure, but that was probably a risk he should not have taken. The CMAs shouldn't have allowed him to take that risk," one commented.

"The timing lines up with that event. Completely irresponsible of the organizers of the CMAs if that is indeed how he was exposed," another wrote.

"Honestly you’re right to acknowledge what everyone is wondering & as usual YOU have a lot to lose for asking the question. Thank you for being human. Whether that was the place he got it or not- they endangered him & it easily could have been. It’s quietly bothered me for weeks," Brandi Charlie replied.

However, others defended the CMAs, stressing that it was Pride who decided to attend the ceremony.

"I think its also important not to put speculative blame on people and organizations without some type of evidence. Lots more questions needs to be asked and answered and presented before any judgement can be made," one Twitter user wrote.

"He may have died from Covid but being indoors at the CMA’s can’t take the blame. If masks, being outside, distancing, and every other BS thing actually worked against this virus, we wouldn’t still be having this conversation. It’s a virus. It’ll find a way. RIP Mr. Pride," another user commented.

Aside from Morris, other country artists who mourned and paid tribute to Pride on social media include Dolly Parton, Luke Combs and Brad Paisley.