Shortly after being named an All-American, in December 1922, at the height of his popularity, Kirk suffered a fractured skull in an automobile accident, and died several days later at a hospital in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

In October 1919, The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel praised "the ability of Kirk in receiving passes and breaking away for long runs.

The Indianapolis Star praised the team's end play The Irish wing men are wonderful performers.

[4]In late November, Notre Dame defeated Purdue 33-13, and the Indiana Star reported that the Boilermakers would have finished on top had it not been for the passing attack of Gipp and Kirk.

[7][8] In September 1920, Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne expressed concern when his two Michiganian stars, Gipp and Kirk, who failed to report to the team's fall practice.

[17] Columnist Evans wrote that Kirk was "directly and indirectly responsible" for all 24 points scored by Michigan against Illinois.

[16] After the Illinois game, Kirk reportedly left the stadium before the crowd and spent several hours hunting in the woods outside of Ann Arbor.

[16] Another columnist, writing under the name "Roundy," wrote that Kirk gave him "an eye full," turning plays "so fast that the thing is looked up in the stands as a joke.

His run on the kickoff through the whole Illinois team proved that, for an end, he is all over the field and has a nose for fumbles, is strong and tricky.

Not only was he one of the most deadly tacklers in the circuit, but he was shifty and fleet in streaking down the field to nail the receivers of forward passes or punts.

"[20] The Iowa City Press-Citizen wrote that Kirk "seems to stand out by himself" among the ends, noting that he "attracted most attention for his receiving of passes and his deadly spilling of interference.

"[27] None of the other major All-American selectors chose Taylor as a first-team All-American, and one California newspaper referred to Kirk as one of the greatest ends ever turned out in the Middle WestKirk's remarkable showing with Michigan this season stamped him as one of the greatest ends ever turned out in the Middle West.

[29][30]In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 17, 1922, Kirk sustained a fractured skull and internal injuries in an automobile accident.

[31] Kirk and four others were returning to Ann Arbor after a night in Detroit when the car slid off the icy road and crashed into a telephone pole.

[32][33] The other four members of the party, including fellow Michigan football player Eddie Usher, were either uninjured or sustained only minor injuries.

Initial reports indicated that the automobile, owned by Harold Covert but being driven by Cyrenus Darling,[34] was speeding on the icy road.

But after an investigation, Ypsilanti Police Chief John F. Connor reported that the accident was "unavoidable" and caused by the icy condition of the road.

The United Press reported that Kirk's pulse was down, and doctors expressed fears that meningitis might develop and described his condition as "not so good.

Hundreds of telegrams of condolence were sent to the family "from all parts of the world," including one from Walter Camp, which readDeepest regrets and sympathy.

We shall not soon forget the remarkable play on the gridiron of Bernard Kirk, a star indeed and one of those indefatigable performers combining both brain and physique with speed and judgment, a fine example of real football players.

[29] Notre Dame Coach Rockne recalled that Gipp and Kirk had been "great pals" and "practically inseparable."

Like Kirk, George Gipp, died in the height of his stardom, just after the close of a season in which he was picked by most critics for the all-American.

As a member of the Notre Dame team Kirk played end and received most of the passes hurled by Gipp.

[46] His casket was carried to the grave by eight of his Michigan teammates, including Harry Kipke, Paul G. Goebel, Irwin Uteritz, and Franklin Cappon.