Kentucky quarterback Zach Calzada’s been catching heat lately after a video made the rounds online. In it, he’s flashing a fat stack of $100 bills.
Somebody else posted the clip on X (yeah, Twitter’s new name), and it shows Calzada bragging about how much NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money he’s pulled in from the Wildcats this year. He did end up apologizing later, admitting the video was a bad look.
It’s got people talking about how NIL deals are changing college sports—and, maybe, how athletes act.
The Incident: Zach Calzada’s Video
On Friday, Calzada put out an apology after that video of him counting the cash dropped on social media. In the clip, he tells a critic to stop hating and go make some money—then shows off his NIL earnings.
Fans and media weren’t exactly thrilled. Word is, the video was originally sent to someone who’d been trashing Calzada’s season.
Calzada, who turns 25 this Saturday, hasn’t had the smoothest year. He started the first two games for Kentucky but struggled, completing just 47.2% of his passes for 234 yards, no touchdowns, and one pick.
Things got worse after a shoulder injury against Ole Miss. Since then, freshman Cutter Boley’s taken over at quarterback.
Calzada’s Career Journey
Zach Calzada’s college football path has been anything but a straight line. He started out at Texas A&M in 2019 and had his best run in 2021.
That season, he filled in for the injured Haynes King and led the Aggies to a 6-4 record as a starter. The big highlight? Beating then-No. 1 Alabama, throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2022, he transferred to Auburn but never played—shoulder surgery got in the way. After that, he landed at Incarnate Word (yep, FCS), where he finally caught fire.
He was named Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2024 and then Player of the Year in 2025. The numbers were wild: 3,744 yards, 35 touchdowns, 9 interceptions. That run earned him a shot with Kentucky.
The Impact of NIL Deals
NIL deals have totally shaken up college sports. Now, athletes can cash in on endorsements and sponsorships—stuff that used to be off-limits.
It’s opened up a bunch of new opportunities, but, as Calzada’s situation shows, it’s not all smooth sailing. There are new pressures and expectations, too.
The money can help with tuition, rent, and just life as a student-athlete. But the fame and cash can also push players into choices that might not fit their school’s values—or, honestly, their own.
Calzada’s Apology and Moving Forward
After the backlash, a Kentucky spokesman said Calzada owned up and apologized. That’s something, right?
With Florida coming up, the Wildcats are hoping to shift the attention back to football. Sitting at 3-5, it hasn’t been an easy ride, and this next game feels huge if they want to turn things around.
Looking Ahead: Kentucky Wildcats’ Season
Kentucky’s season has been rough—3-5 overall, just 1-5 in the SEC. Injuries and up-and-down play haven’t helped.
Freshman Cutter Boley has stepped in for the injured Calzada and, honestly, he’s looked pretty promising. He’s thrown for 1,376 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 7 picks in six games.
The Florida game is a big one. Both teams have the same record, so whoever wins gets a much-needed boost.
It’s set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. Should be interesting to see how it plays out.
The Role of Leadership
Leadership’s going to matter a lot for Kentucky as they try to salvage the season. Coaches, captains, and veterans like Calzada have to keep the locker room together.
The whole video mess is a lesson, really—it shows how important it is to represent your program the right way, even when things get messy.
There’s still talent on this team. If they can pull together and focus, maybe they can finish strong. It’s going to take everyone, though—no one’s getting out of this alone.
Final Thoughts
The incident involving Zach Calzada’s video really shows just how complicated NIL deals have made college sports. Sure, these opportunities give athletes a lot, but they also add new layers of responsibility.
Calzada’s apology, along with how the Kentucky program responded, puts the spotlight on accountability. It’s not always easy to move on, but that’s what they’re aiming for.
As the Wildcats get ready for their next game against Florida, the main thing is to leave this drama in the past. They’ll need to focus on playing well and working together if they want to turn things around.
For more details on this story, you can read the original article on ESPN.
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