Laremy Tunsil to sell infamous gas mask bong video NFT to support charity
Laremy Tunsil is not only owning a moment fraught with controversy, and one that might have cost him millions of dollars, but he's also using it to support a charity.
Tunsil, currently an offensive tackle for the Houston Texans, announced Wednesday that he will be minting a one-of-one non-fungible token of the video of himself smoking out of a gas mask bong — the same video that was posted to his social media channels the night he was selected in the 2016 NFL draft after his accounts were hacked. Tunsil said a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Last Prisoner Project, which supports people incarcerated for offenses related to marijuana cases.
"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!" Tunsil tweeted Wednesday.
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Back in 2016, Tunsil was widely considered one of the top prospects available and was discussed as having the potential to be the first non-quarterback taken off the board
In the lead-up to the draft, however, the video of Tunsil using the bong was posted to his verified Twitter account. Then, images posted to his Instagram account showed an exchange of messages that purported to show he took money from coaches at Ole Miss, the school where he played collegiately.
"I made a mistake, a huge mistake," Tunsil said in 2016, in a news conference after the draft. "Things happened. I can’t control things. Got to my phone, hacking my Instagram, Twitter."
Tunsil slid down the draft board, and two offensive tackles — Ronnie Stanley of the Ravens (No. 6) and Jack Conklin of the Titans (No. 8) — were selected ahead of him. Tunsil's wait ended at No. 13, where the Miami Dolphins drafted him. In August 2019, the Dolphins traded Tunsil to the Texans.
Tunsil, 27, is a two-time Pro Bowler. The first round of the 2022 NFL draft is will take place Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET.