Dolphins QB Willis errant first pitch draws mockery

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis drew widespread online mockery after throwing a wildly errant ceremonial first pitch before the team's hosting of the Philadelphia Phillies at LoanDepot Park on Friday night.

Willis, who signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with Miami in March, stepped to the mound for the honors ahead of the Marlins' game. Wearing a glove and performing a full windup from the rubber, the 25-year-old unleashed a pitch that sailed high and far to the right, well beyond the catcher's reach and possibly striking the backstop. The moment quickly went viral on social media, where fans and observers posted clips and reactions ranging from disbelief to humor.

"This might be the worst first pitch ever. Let alone by an athlete," one user wrote on X. Another quipped, "I'm told it was a spiral, and he was expecting the catcher to cut toward third base." Some drew parallels to Willis's football career, with comments like "Only slightly worse than his football passes historically through his short career." Dolphins supporters expressed varied sentiments, including jokes about the team's prospects: "Dolphins are not messing around. They want that 2027 1 overall."