Ever since transferring to Oklahoma in the offseason, John Mateer has been one of college football's most intriguing quarterbacks. The Washington State transfer has the Sooners within striking distance of the College Football Playoff as the team prepares to face No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
However, Mateer's biggest drama this season didn’t happen on the field, but in a local fast-casual dining establishment. Ahead of the Red River Rivalry game against Texas, the status of his thumb injury, which required surgery in late September, was one of the most closely guarded secrets in college football, with coach Brent Venables doing everything possible to keep it from the public. That secrecy was unintentionally broken when Mateer, while ordering a chicken bowl, shared an exclusive injury update with a highly enthusiastic but ultimately indiscreet Chipotle employee.
The revelation that Mateer told the employee he was "100% going to play" against Texas quickly spread from a message board rumor to a viral social media phenomenon, with screenshots and "Chipotle guy" updates becoming the most reliable source of injury news in Norman. The incident, now part of Oklahoma football lore, perfectly illustrates the high-stakes, hyper-connected world of modern college football, where even a simple lunch order can become a national headline.
Here’s exactly what happened with Mateer and the Chipotle worker.
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Is the John Mateer Chipotle rumor true?
Yes, the John Mateer Chipotle rumor is true.
Ahead of Oklahoma's rivalry game against Texas, Mateer told the Chipotle worker that he was going to play. That quickly spread to social media.
NEW: Oklahoma QB John Mateer tells @jdpickell the Chipotle message board rumor was real😭
— On3 (@On3sports) November 6, 2025
“That was me not realizing who I can trust and who I can't trust... I didn't think he would go and tell the whole world about it.”
Mateer uses DoorDash now. Pic.twitter.com/jBaSsMiIZN
Mateer went on to tell On3 that he blames himself for the entire situation, saying "“That was me not realizing who I can trust and who I can't trust."
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Who is the Chipotle employee?
The name of the Chipotle worker is Cooper Whittaker, who was pressing tortillas when he had his interaction with Mateer.
The Chipotle tortilla presser who spoke with John Mateer caught up with me today about the interaction. Here is what he had to say plus if Mateer will be available for the Red River Rivalry pic.twitter.com/JOuESuyYK7
— Michael thompson (@MichaelThomNews) October 9, 2025
"I didn't think he would go tell the world about it," Mateer said to On3. "It's not my favorite thing somebody's ever done on the other side of what I told him. But, that's my fault. I shouldn't say anything, I shouldn't be throwing my business out there."
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What was John Mateer's injury?
Mateer's injury, which sparked the entire "Chipotle-gate" saga, was a fracture to his right thumb that required surgery in late September. He sustained the injury in the first quarter of Oklahoma's victory over Auburn on September 20. The quarterback played through the entire game, including leading the game-winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.
Mateer only missed one game, when Oklahoma blew out Kent State in Norman. He returned to start against Texas just 17 days after the surgery. He later admitted that while he felt no pain during the game, the injury and short recovery window visibly affected his performance.
Even after his return, the thumb injury remained a central discussion point regarding his overall effectiveness for the rest of the season.
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John Mateer injury timeline
Mateer's injury and recovery was remarkably rapid, a fact that became a major topic of discussion across college football. The injury was a broken bone in his right throwing hand (specifically the thumb) sustained during the first quarter of the game against Auburn.
He had surgery on Sept. 24, 2025, and returned only 17 days after to face Texas on Oct. 11. Most medical reports estimated Mateer would miss approximately one month.
Brent Venables says that he’s seen the velocity in which John Mateer throws the ball is improving. Adds that you’d be naive to think the injury and the surgery didn’t impact him early on.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) November 12, 2025
“That hand will continue to get healthier as the season goes on.” #Sooners
Since returning from injury, Mateer has led the Sooners to a 3-1 record, passing for 734 yards and two touchdowns, along with four interceptions. His completion rate has fallen off since coming back from the injury; he had a 67% rate before the surgery, and 59% after.
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