As the Kentucky Wildcats look to build on last week’s significant victory over the Auburn Tigers, quarterback Zach Calzada is doing some damage control after his controversial video.
Ahead of an SEC battle against the Florida Gators, Calzada apologized for the recent controversial video he posted, directed at critical fans. In that video, Calzada held a stack of cash, which he fanned out to show a critical fan, suggesting the critic needed to stop hating and focus on getting some money.
On Friday, Calzada took to his official Instagram Story to address the situation, apologizing to teammates, coaches, and “anyone else who believed in him.”
“I take full responsibility for the video I sent to someone on social media. I let my emotions get the best of me. It does not reflect the gratitude I should share as a member of the Kentucky Football team. I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches and our fans,” he wrote on his IG Story slide.
“I’ll learn from this, do better, and move forward with more respect for the opportunity l’ve been given,” Calzada ended his message with.
Read more: Nick Saban Gets Brutally Honest About LSU-Alabama After Brian Kelly Firing
Calzada’s original video went viral, with various accounts sharing it on X, including the Bleed Blue Network. However, reports indicate Calzada didn’t share the video on any of his social media accounts publicly, and he may have sent it straight to the critical fan.
“Hey, what you need to do, Garrett, is your a** needs to stop hating and go get you some money,” he says to the camera before displaying a handful of money.
“Since you ain’t got nothin’, you can go ahead and you can count mine. Let’s go,” he said, grinning in the video.
“Don’t lose count. Straight hundreds. Straight hundreds,” Calzada also says as he quickly fans out the hundred-dollar bills.
“Go get you some money. This your whole monthly paycheck right here,” he says after placing the money on the floor to spread out and display.
Calzada’s video and follow-up apology statement arrived during a season in which he’s played just two games. He started in Kentucky’s first two games, but after suffering a right shoulder injury against Ole Miss, freshman Cutter Boley took over and has been their starter since.
As of this writing, Calzada has 234 yards, an interception, and a 28 quarterback rating. He last played in a losing effort against Ole Miss on Sept. 6.
Kentucky marks Calzada’s return to the SEC. The senior previously played two seasons for Texas A&M before transferring to Auburn in 2022, where he didn’t play. He then transferred to Southland’s Incarnate Word Cardinals for two additional seasons, where he was the starting quarterback, and then to Kentucky, which CBS Sports reported was part of a $1.25 million NIL deal.
“Zach has taken responsibility for his actions. He has done the right thing and apologized. Now, it’s time to move forward,” a Kentucky spokesman said in a statement to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Last week, the Wildcats snapped a four-game losing streak, going into Auburn and earning a 10-3 victory. They’ll try to continue that momentum when they host Florida on Saturday night.
