When the Miami Dolphins inked Malik Willis to a massive $67.5 million contract this offseason—with over $47 million guaranteed—fans hoped they were getting the quarterback who could finally steady their ship. But after watching Willis take the mound at a Miami Marlins game, some Dolphins faithful are wondering if that money might have been better spent elsewhere.
Willis was given the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the Marlins' matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. It's a tradition that has tripped up countless celebrities and athletes, from Mariah Carey to 50 Cent to Carly Rae Jepsen. But when you're an NFL quarterback—someone whose entire job revolves around throwing a ball with accuracy—the bar is naturally set a little higher.
The result? A missile that sailed well wide of home plate, missing the strike zone entirely. Video of the pitch quickly went viral, and the internet did what it does best: memes and second-guessing followed in short order.
For context, Willis isn't alone in this humbling rite of passage. NBA star John Wall, Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, and Olympian Carl Lewis have all been roasted for their own first-pitch blunders. And let's be honest—Willis's toss wasn't even close to the disaster that was 50 Cent's infamous attempt. But perception matters, especially when you're the face of a franchise trying to rebuild after the Tua Tagovailoa era.
To be fair, Willis has shown real promise on the gridiron. Last season with the Green Bay Packers, he stepped in admirably during Jordan Love's injury spells, throwing six touchdown passes and adding three more on the ground over two years. That dual-threat ability is exactly what Miami is banking on as they enter the 2026 season.
Still, this is Willis's third NFL stop after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans, and opportunities to prove himself as a starter are dwindling. For a Dolphins team that didn't spend top-tier quarterback money but still invested heavily in Willis, every moment—even a ceremonial first pitch—carries extra weight. It's a reminder that in sports, perception and performance are often intertwined, and sometimes the hardest throws to make are the ones that don't count on the stat sheet.