The recent issue between LSU and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels started because LSU made a promise to Daniels that it ultimately couldn't keep, because of a conflicting promise made to cornerback DJ Pickett.
That nuance has been lost on social media, where Daniels quickly emerged as the villain for his overreaction to the re-issuance of the number he wore for two years at LSU. And Daniels has become the butt of a busload of jokes, with MLS teams (more than one), Major League Baseball teams (yes, more than one . . . and more than two . . . and more than three . . . and more than four), minor league baseball teams, CFL teams, college football teams, college soccer teams, Golf Digest, ticket resellers, and consumer product brands joining in the clowning of Daniels.
The Los Angeles Angels got in on the act as well, with a video that includes one of the absolute worst ceremonial first pitches in baseball history, courtesy of KISS frontman Paul Stanley.
The jokes are everywhere. The "5" thing with Daniels was immediately entrenched in the zeitgeist. And it's not going anywhere.
The problem is that, even though LSU was in the wrong by making multiple promises that conflicted, Daniels overreacted. And there's no indication it was Daniels himself who blew a gasket over the situation. It was his camp, his team — and possibly his agent-mom — that picked a five-inch molehill to die on.
Daniels is a very good quarterback, whose second season was marred by injury. He has now become a punchline, without taking a single snap in his third NFL season.
The lessons are clear. First, it's never a good look for a former player to complain publicly about his number being re-issued. Second, every player needs to fully control his personal team. It's their decisions that will stick to the player; the player needs to be aware and in full agreement with any letters the lawyers write or statements the spokespeople issue.
Even if Daniels wasn't involved in any of the effort to push back against LSU, it's all going to stick to him. And it's not going to go away, even after the jokes stop being funny.