At this point in his career, Kyler Murray has successfully silenced the critics who once questioned his work ethic and commitment to football. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback is now taking a well-earned victory lap, thanks to an ironic twist of fate: he’s turned the very memes that mocked him into an endorsement deal for the latest Call of Duty game.
When the Arizona Cardinals selected Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, they knew they were getting an elite talent. The former Oklahoma standout had just won the Heisman Trophy and wasted no time proving his doubters wrong in the NFL, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season. Despite his immediate success, whispers about Murray’s dedication to the game persisted—rumors that would come to a head just a few years later.
In 2022, Murray and the Cardinals reached a bit of a standoff as the young quarterback sought a new contract, confident in his value as the team’s franchise player. After some negotiation, the Cardinals rewarded him with a massive five-year deal worth over $230 million. However, the contract came with a strange and unprecedented condition: an “independent study” clause that required Murray to dedicate at least four hours per week to watching game film. What made it even more unusual was the explicit prohibition of “watching television, playing video games, and browsing the internet” while doing so.
The inclusion of that clause raised eyebrows across the NFL, and it didn’t take long for fans and media to run wild with speculation. The clause seemed to confirm longstanding rumors about Murray’s love for video games—particularly Call of Duty. A Reddit post even went viral after someone analyzed Murray’s gaming activity, claiming that he performed worse on the field during weekends when Call of Duty offered its “Double XP” promotions, implying that Murray’s gaming sessions might be interfering with his preparation.
The narrative gained traction, and Murray’s reputation as a gamer became a talking point, with many critics pointing to his love of video games as a potential distraction from football. Murray, however, was open about his passion for gaming, admitting in a 2021 interview that he played about three hours a day. For some, this was proof enough to label him as lacking commitment, especially when he faced adversity or underperformed.
In response to the backlash, the Cardinals eventually removed the controversial clause from Murray’s contract. But the damage had already been done in the court of public opinion, as the “Call of Duty” jokes followed him throughout the season.
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Fast forward to 2024, and Kyler Murray has flipped the script entirely. On Monday, the quarterback revealed that he’s now partnering with EA to promote the newest installment of the Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops 6, which is set to release on October 25th. In a social media post announcing the partnership, Murray couldn’t resist taking a jab at his critics, writing, “Shoutout to the trolls who memed me into a bag.”
Murray’s ability to turn the jokes and criticism into a lucrative endorsement deal is a testament to his resilience. He’s proven that he can balance his passion for gaming with the demands of being an NFL starting quarterback.
While the memes may have questioned his priorities, Murray’s performance on the field has largely spoken for itself. Even after facing setbacks, he remains one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league.
For Murray, the deal with Call of Duty represents more than just a payday—it’s a statement. He has not only weathered the storm of public scrutiny but has found a way to capitalize on it.
The same memes that once poked fun at him have now become a source of triumph, showing that he can turn even the harshest criticism into an opportunity.
As he continues his NFL journey, Murray can take pride in knowing he’s proven the doubters wrong. His contract, his on-field accomplishments, and now his savvy off-field business moves all demonstrate that Kyler Murray is far more than the “gamer” label some tried to pin on him.
He’s an elite athlete with a unique ability to thrive in both his passions—football and gaming—and he’s not afraid to embrace both unapologetically.
