When most people think of Laremy Tunsil, they think of the infamous “gas mask video” that caused him to plummet down the 2016 NFL Draft, costing him millions of dollars in the process. Once considered a potential No. 1 pick, the hacked video of the Ole Miss football player smoking weed through a gas mask sent the NFL world into a meltdown about his character.
Now, Tunsil is taking back ownership of that embarrassing moment.
Tunsil, who was eventually taken by the Miami Dolphins with the 13th overall selection, ended up doing just fine. After being traded to the Houston Texans in 2019, he signed a three-year, $66 million contract extension in 2020 that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in terms of annual value. The two-time Pro Bowl lineman is now considered one of the best in the league, a far cry from the concern-trolling that followed him around in the days leading up to the draft.
Tunsil took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce his plan and why he had decided to turn the worst moment of his professional career into an NFT.
I'm officially moving on and putting this moment in the past.
I'm minting a 1 of 1 NFT of the infamous gas mask video to be listed. A portion of the proceeds will benefit @lastprisonerprj which supports those incarcerated for cannabis offenses.— Laremy Tunsil (@KingTunsil78) April 27, 2022
I'm looking toward and excited for the future and am grateful for all of those that supported me on my draft night and those that have and will continue to support my journey!
— Laremy Tunsil (@KingTunsil78) April 27, 2022
“For the past 6 years, I’ve been asked about this moment. The gas mask. I’ve spent 6 years trying to do rather than say – on the field and off the field,” wrote Tunsil.
“I’m officially moving on and putting this moment in the past. I’m minting a 1 of 1 NFT of the infamous gas mask video to be listed. A portion of the proceeds will benefit @lastprisonerprj which supports those incarcerated for cannabis offenses.
I’m looking toward and excited for the future and am grateful for all of those that supported me on my draft night and those that have and will continue to support my journey!”
While NFTs aren’t exactly seen as positives by many, the decision did get a strong reaction from the NFL world as the football player reclaimed this moment and turned it into something that could be a force for good.
Props to @KingTunsil78 for turning a crazy situation into something that could help others. https://t.co/RGKbELjN32
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 27, 2022
Perfect example of draft night madness. Even better example of not letting a single incident overshadow a prospects talents, and contributions.
Glad he was able to prosper after that smear campaign. https://t.co/xn9HRi0cv9
— Tommy (@TommyG105) April 27, 2022
This is awesome. I love it. https://t.co/r7s5xRDPRy
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) April 27, 2022
this is great https://t.co/Sfke8VbA3Y
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) April 27, 2022
I'm too old to understand NFT's and won't ever buy one.
If I were, though. This would be the one, and I am forever a fan of @KingTunsil78 for both the perspective and the purpose this shows. https://t.co/UbTK3Yov3l
— Danny O'Neil, Noted Fisch fan (@dannyoneil) April 27, 2022
It’ll be interesting to find out how much someone pays for this NFT and whether or not we see more pro athletes try to do similar things.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.