Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray's hat 'creates stir' at Phoenix Suns game

PHOENIX – Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray took in the Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors game Thursday night.

People can't stop talking about his hat choice for the game.

Murray wore a green Oakland Athletics baseball cap for the game, which was played at Phoenix Suns Arena.

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People noticed.

Was he just wearing a hat or was he trying to send some kind of message?

People had very different opinions on the matter.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote a story about it, saying that Murray's hat choice "created a stir."

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Murray was drafted by the Athletics in the MLB draft in 2018 (No. 9 overall), before getting picked by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL draft (No. 1 overall) and playing football.

© Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Mar 4, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (right) sits courtside of the Phoenix Suns game against the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Florio wrote: "The vast majority of pro athletes don’t have the leverage that comes from the ability to player another sport at the highest level. If/when Murray decides (whether because he doesn’t like his NFL contract or because he’s simply had his fill of football) to leave football for baseball, he can do it — and the A’s or some other team surely would embrace him. Currently, Murray would have to cut a check to the Cardinals in the amount of $11.6 million, if he’d walk away. Next year, the bonus forfeiture would become only $5.8 million. The next year (barring a contract extension), Murray can leave the Cardinals with no financial consequence. It’s highly unlikely that it will happen. For most players, however, it’s an impossibility. For Murray, it’s at least on the radar screen." 

Florio further discussed the hat situation with NBC Sports' Peter King in a video inside his story.

The title of the video? "Why Florio thinks Murray is considering MLB move."

He said: "When you have elite baseball skills, there is going to be a lingering temptation. If you just think football isn't what I thought it was going to be and you can walk right into another major league spot at the highest possible level and off you go. That's a hell of a temptation. Most football players don't have that option."

VOTE: Do you have any issues with #AZCardinals QB Kyler Murray wearing an #OaklandAthletics hat to the #Suns game? #RedSea #BirdGang (Hat 'creates stir'?: https://t.co/fxrnYe8NWC)

— azcentral sports (@azcsports) March 5, 2021

King then went on to "add to the general mayhem of this" by sharing a story about how Athletics GM Billy Beane chose Murray in his fantasy football draft a couple of years ago.

"The bridge has not been burned in Oakland," King said. "They are not upset at Kyler Murray. I do believe that if one day Kyler Murray showed up at spring training and said 'hey, let's go' that he would have a chance. Now, I still think it's unlikely … but, never say never and especially because Kyler Murray, the one thing about him is, he was always fascinated about baseball because he always knew that if he devoted all his energies to it, he'd have a really good chance."

Murray has expressed a desire to play both football and baseball multiple times.

Last month, he told The Dan Patrick Show that not playing for the Athletics was very difficult.

"That was the hardest decision I ever had to make," Murray told Patrick. "It honestly took me a long time to figure out what I was going to do.

“It was hard for me to tell (the A’s) I’m not coming to play for them after I already told them I was going to."

Murray said that he even thought to himself  "You should have just played baseball" after his tough first half against the Lions in his first NFL game.

When asked if baseball was still a possibility by Patrick, Murray said: "As far as my ability goes, yeah. I don't know how the contract works and stuff like that, but yeah."

Fans sound off on Kyler Murray's hat choice

There were very different reactions to Murray's hat choice on social media, with many saying he was just wearing the hat of a team that had drafted him, but some others wondering if he had ulterior motives.

I'll be honest, I've seen Kyler in the A's hat a couple of times. I didn't realize it was going to be such a big deal.

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) March 5, 2021

It’s not a big deal but I also don’t think the kid is all that attached to the valley. I mean he’s at this game wearing an A’s hat watching GS. Guarantee the first Suns games we see JJ at he’ll be sporting some Suns gear same with a dback or Coyotes game.

— Paul (@AZPaulC) March 5, 2021

Again, he'd be wearing the A's hat if they were playing the Grizzlies or the Heat. He's not wearing Warriors gear. If I was once a top pick of a MLB team, I'd probably wear that hat too -- even if it were the Dodgers.

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) March 5, 2021

Why must kyler do this to us

— matt (@KapeMatthew) March 5, 2021

@trossaz @ROtorious @itssmokeyyy_ think he wants to go play baseball now

— A$AP Dink ➡️ No Festivals For A While (@bigdinkel) March 5, 2021

Kyler Murray is introduced to the crowd here at Phoenix Suns Arena and gets a big cheer. They seem cool with the A's hat. @Cardschatter

— David Brandt (@davidbrandtAP) March 5, 2021

I don’t see the issue. They drafted him, so there is a sentiment there. Nothing to read into.

— Zac (@ZacBoska) March 5, 2021

It's only a hat. You boomers need to realize it's different with the younger generation. They will wear something just because it matches or looks cool. Not the same meaning as it did for you all back in the day. #relax My kids are the same way.

— Crazcardinal (@moomoo777777) March 5, 2021

Kyler was drafted by the A’s so no big deal about the hat

— Rogelio Arrieta Jr (@Sr_ArrietaRoy) March 5, 2021

Psyops orchestrated by his agent to accelerate an extension to get him out of his rookie contract. Keim will fall for it.

— Steven Valinski (@AZSpyder) March 5, 2021

Hope there is no underlying meaning to that hat...#azbirdgang

— Danny Williams (@ryan99_dw) March 5, 2021

Booo!

— PewPewPew! (@RomitaPotata) March 5, 2021

Once a draft pick always a draft pick 👈

— Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (@FitzBeatSr) March 5, 2021

While I appreciate leaving the Watson rumor out, it could be a subtle message of “trade me and I’ll go play baseball”.

That’s it, right?

— Dan Gregory (@NotthefakeDAG) March 5, 2021

He’s simply wearing the hat of the team that drafted him. Who cares? If he wanted to play baseball, he would’ve. There is no underlying meaning behind this at all.

— David Imondi (@David_Imondi) March 5, 2021

Just another reminder of how you can play multiple sports and succeed at both of them without specializing at the high school (or college) level. Plus, rocking an @Athletics hat (drafted by them) at a @warriors game in Phoenix is pretty bold. #KylerMurray https://t.co/rFOaXq6fIR

— Dr. Nirav Pandya, MD (@DrNiravPandya) March 5, 2021

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray's hat 'creates stir' at Phoenix Suns game