When the Miami Marlins invited new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on May 1, fans were expecting a crisp strike from the man known for his pinpoint accuracy. Instead, they got a wild pitch that sailed straight to the backstop, leaving the catcher with no chance and the crowd with a collective groan.
Standing on the mound at LoanDepot Park, the 26-year-old showed all the right mechanics. His wind-up was convincing, his leg kick was sharp, and for a split second, it looked like he was about to deliver a perfect throw. But then, the release came a fraction too early, sending the ball high and wide. The result? A pitch that belonged more in blooper reels than highlight packages.
Now, before Dolphins fans start panicking about their new quarterback's arm, let's put things in perspective. Willis is far from the first athlete to struggle with the first pitch curse. Celebrities like 50 Cent, Stephen A. Smith, and Mariah Carey have all seen their ceremonial tosses go down in MLB infamy. And in the world of football quarterbacks turning baseball pitchers, Willis is in good company.
Just ten days earlier, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza—who would go on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—lobbed a shot put-like first pitch at the same Marlins stadium. If a national champion can struggle, surely Willis can get a pass.
What makes this moment surprising is that accuracy is supposed to be Willis's superpower. In limited action with the Green Bay Packers over the past two seasons, he completed an impressive 78.7% of his passes, throwing for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. That kind of precision is exactly why Miami signed him to a three-year, $67.5 million contract in free agency, despite having only six career starts under his belt.
So while this first pitch might not have been the debut Willis was hoping for, it's hardly a reason to worry. After all, if the worst thing he does this season is throw a ball into the stands at a baseball game, Dolphins fans should consider themselves lucky. Let's just hope he saves those heaters for the gridiron.