The 'Sam Darnold: Out Indefinitely' meme stems from a 2019 Monday Night Football broadcast where ESPN aired an incredibly somber, cinematic graphic announcing that the then-New York Jets quarterback was sidelined with mononucleosis. The overly dramatic presentation—featuring Darnold emerging from shadows like a character in a gritty reboot—struck viewers as hilariously disproportionate to a common illness. Since then, the graphic has become a go-to template for announcing one's absence for trivial reasons, poking fun at dramatic medical news, or highlighting a sudden exit from any social situation where the vibe has shifted.