Kentucky quarterback Zach Calzada has apologized for a video in which he boasted about his name, image, and likeness (NIL) earnings, responding to social media critics. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has drawn attention to the behavior of college athletes in the era of monetized personal brands.
In the video, Calzada is seen counting a large stack of $100 bills and telling a user named Garrett to “stop hatin’ and go get you some money.” He sent the video directly to the individual who had criticized his play, and it quickly went viral on social media platforms. Calzada, who turns 25 on Saturday, acknowledged his mistake and expressed regret for his actions in a public apology issued on Friday.
The criticism stemmed from Calzada’s performance earlier in the season, where he started the first two games for the Wildcats but struggled, completing only 47.2% of his passes for 234 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. His injury in the fourth quarter of a loss to Ole Miss led to his replacement by freshman Cutter Boley, who has since taken over as the starting quarterback and thrown for over 1,300 yards.
Calzada is in his seventh season of college football, having begun his career at Texas A&M in 2019. His most notable achievement was leading the Aggies to an upset victory over top-ranked Alabama in 2021, where he threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns. After transferring to Auburn, he did not play due to injury, and he spent the last two seasons at Incarnate Word, earning conference Player of the Year honors in 2025 before transferring to Kentucky.
A spokesman for the University of Kentucky stated that Calzada has taken responsibility for his actions and apologized, emphasizing that it is time to move forward. The team, with a 3-5 record and 1-5 in the SEC, is set to host Florida in their next game, and the incident adds to the challenges they face in a difficult season marked by inconsistent performances.
The apology may help mitigate the negative attention, but it highlights the pressures faced by college athletes who now have significant financial opportunities through NIL deals. It also raises questions about how athletes handle criticism and the public perception of their wealth, with implications for their mental health and public image. As the season continues, Calzada’s role on the team and his future in football will be closely watched, with fans and analysts debating the impact of such incidents on team dynamics.
This narrative is based on reports from multiple reliable sources, including ESPN and local news outlets, which confirmed the details of the video, apology, and surrounding context.
