1. We have to thank the Cardinals for giving us a gift.
This is a slow time for content, especially NFL content, but we were treated to one of the most surreal stories of the summer on Monday.
The news said that as part of Kyler Murray’s new five-year, $230 million contract with $160 million guaranteed, the quarterback must do his homework. No distractions.
Murray has to spend four hours a week studying film and can’t have a TV on in the background or play video games while doing homework.
The layers of absurdity in this story run deep. First, let’s start with the precise wording of the nonsense clause:
“Independent Study” means the Player studying material provided by the Club in order to prepare for the Club’s upcoming match, including but not limited to any material provided via an iPad or other electronic device. The time spent in the mandatory meeting will not constitute independent study.
The player will not receive any credit for independent study during the period during which the player does not personally study the material provided in good faith. For the avoidance of doubt, the Player will not receive any independent study credit in respect of periods during which any material is displayed or played on an iPad or other electronic device if (a) the Player is not personally studying or viewing the material while it is. is being displayed or played or (b) the player engages in any other distracting activity (for example, watching TV, playing video games or surfing the Internet) while such material is being displayed or played.
Murray probably didn’t do himself any favors by saying publicly that he doesn’t watch movies.
Murray is also known to be a big video game guy, so his appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated last year is now fodder thanks to the contract clause.
There is also the matter of that clause being leaked to the media on Monday. Did Murray’s team want the information out there to make the Cardinals look bad for treating him like a child? Or did the Cardinals want the public knowledge clause to put even more pressure on Murray to start studying?
Both theories are absurd because the Cardinals just gave Murray $230 million, so you’d think both sides would want to keep the other happy.
But enough serious analysis. Let’s get to the good stuff. Once news broke on social media that Murray, a 25-year-old earning $230 million, will now have to do his homework, the memes started popping up and they didn’t disappoint.
And there were jokes.
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2. Aaron Rodgers paid tribute to Con Air’s Cameron Poe when he showed up at Packers camp on Tuesday.
3. Looks like we may have another weird incident with Adam Schefter. The ESPN insider’s initial tweet about wide receiver Danny Amendola retiring read:
It appears that Schefter, who famously referred to the subject of one story as “Mr. Editor,” may have been trying to clear the tweet with someone. He then deleted the tweet and removed the word “Work?” and reposted it.
4. Tom Brady’s social media team continues to produce content we never expected to see from the GOAT.
5. Roman Reigns’ special counsel, Paul Heyman, proved again last night why he’s the best thing he’s ever had on the mic. During a live promo on Monday Night Raw from Madison Square Garden in New York, Heyman’s microphone went out. This led to Heyman mocking New Jersey and making a sly joke about Vince McMahon’s recent departure from the company.
6. This week’s SI Media Podcast features a fun conversation with the always entertaining Peter Schrager.
Topics covered include Good Morning Football cast changes, inside stories on Sean McVay’s recent wedding, Zach Wilson’s recent turn in the spotlight, which current NFL players would make good broadcasters, the death of comedy in the movies, Succession and more.
You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.
You can also watch the SI Media podcast on YouTube.
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: RIP, Paul Sorvino. What a performance he gave in Goodfellas. No one has ever looked at garlic the same way after watching Paulie chop it.
Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.