Well, you know how the saying goes. Can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.
The Arizona Cardinals attempted to do that on Thursday by removing the independent study clause in Kyler Murray’s new five-year, $230.5 million contract extension. The news came three days after the organization, its quarterback and the quarterback’s agent were heavily criticized for the clause that required Murray to watch at least four hours of game prep.
The language included that Murray had to have his eyes on the material and couldn’t be watching television or playing video games during it.
A part of the Cardinals’ statement reads “it was clearly perceived in ways that were never intended.” Which, is true, but also speaks on the lack of awareness that 1) something like this would likely get out and 2) make everyone involved look poorly when it does.
It did!
That sentiment persisted after the news, as Twitter continued getting jokes in at their respective expenses.
The homework clause story made everyone involved look worse, made a national news story out of a small and embarrasssing request and ended with a solution that causes more questions than answers. Don’t you ever say football is not the most beautiful thing on earth.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) July 29, 2022
Kyler hearing he has 4 extra hours a week for video games https://t.co/M9dO2Iiq6q pic.twitter.com/uip2Wi0WHa
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 29, 2022
The Cardinals didn’t even get 4 hours of film study from Kyler Murray’s practices in that clause’s existence my lord
— Kevin Zimmerman (@KZimmermanAZ) July 29, 2022
“We shamed and embarrassed our best player. But hey, no more!” https://t.co/AWBH2t0zic
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) July 29, 2022
Homework is canceled!!!
The Cardinals will also be purchasing Kyler the Fortnite battle pass as a vote of confidence https://t.co/0FfhvXEnOq
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) July 29, 2022
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 29, 2022
After looking at their drafts I actually have some ideas for other Cardinals employees who might need a homework clause.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) July 29, 2022