Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the few NFL players to have had many lives in a single career. After defying gravity with that one-handed catch in 2014, OBJ transformed from a wide receiver into a brand. In each of his first three seasons, he amassed over 1,300 receiving yards, a feat that no other Giants player had ever achieved by that age. Not only did Beckham Jr. win three consecutive Pro Bowls between 2014 and 2016, but he also garnered media attention, sponsorship offers, and social media followers.
However, the noise surrounding him has changed after ten seasons of rollercoasters. Not about the next game, but whether there will be one. OBJ reappeared on Sunday with a message, but it was far more layered than a press conference or podcast, and it came just when the silence was growing louder.
Beckham’s Sunday Instagram picture may have appeared to be just another artistic highlight from his life off the field, but it was significant. Not just because of the visuals, but because of the message: “Krazy, Friday was a movie, art was on point, music was a go, #Monaco energyyyy!.” The post was created in partnership with Vhils, a street artist from Brazil who actually chisels into walls to reveal hidden emotion and history. In the announcement video, which announced the FRI&NDS Charity Art Auction, the two posed next to one of Vhils’ signature relief murals.
In his caption, Odell Beckham Jr. highlighted the social impact initiative, saying, “…all proceeds support social impact causes.” The event’s proceeds are to be donated to Iminente Bairros and the B. Well Foundation. OBJ wasn’t merely there for a picture. It was a deliberate turn, in line with a theme of transition, layers, and greater meaning. Which, if you’ve followed his journey, feels very on-brand.
The street artist in collaboration with OBJ? Born Alexandre Farto, Vhils has gained international recognition for his ability to carve portraits into decaying walls, frequently transforming the forgotten into symbols. His motto? ‘Destruction is a form of construction.’ Perhaps Beckham, too, perceives that in a poetic sense. As a player who’s been broken down by injuries, media narratives, and shifting roles, this post with Vhils working in the last slide felt more like nuance than noise.
Even though OBJ’s NFL future was already being scrutinised, Sunday’s post stirred the pot again. Is Beckham enjoying life after football? Was this art collaboration a gentle send-off?
The whispers get louder: Is Odell Beckham Jr done with football?
The buzz isn’t new. In May 2024, he signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, raising expectations for a late-career comeback. Instead, Beckham was placed on the PUP list at the beginning of the season. Then he made his debut on October 5 and only caught nine passes for fifty-five yards in nine games. He failed to meet all the performance goals. By December 13, both sides had amicably decided to split up. It was noisy and sudden.
Beckham highlighting the need for resilience, “One thing bout me no matter what… ima always land on my feet. God got me beluhdatt.” After being released, he posted that on Instagram. However, after two poor seasons at age 32, retirement rumors started to spread. Although Beckham has previously stated candidly that he wished to “love football again,” the NFL isn’t designed for slow starts, particularly at wide receiver.
And while Sunday’s art post didn’t exactly put an end to the rumors, it also didn’t confirm anything. Is this the end, then? Perhaps not. Perhaps Beckham is simply peeling back the layers. Or maybe he’s removing the clutter and creating a new image, not of what we anticipate, but of what he wants, much like a Vhils mural. It’s unclear if that will be on walls or turf. However, it’s evident that Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t stopped talking. He’s simply using a new language, and it’s loud, literal, and multi-layered.
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