Introduction to the viral moment at loanDepot park
NFL quarterback Malik Willis went viral after throwing an errant ceremonial first pitch before a Miami Marlins game at loanDepot park in Miami, Fla. This routine pregame moment quickly became a widely shared social clip.
The online reaction eventually led fans to resurface an old ceremonial first-pitch video featuring Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, drawing direct comparisons between the two very talented NFL stars.
Malik Willis delivers a wild ceremonial first pitch
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Miami Marlins hosted the Philadelphia Phillies on May 1, 2026, during a regular game at loanDepot park.
The throw sailed high and wide of the catcher, quickly going viral across social media as fans reacted to the awkward moment. This mistake created an instant sensation among viewers everywhere.
The internet reaction to the Dolphins quarterback
Digital platforms were flooded with clips of the misfire as fans shared the footage globally. People could not believe that a professional athlete of his caliber could struggle so much with a basic baseball pitch.
The clip gained massive traction and prompted many observers to look for other famous failures. This search for similar mishaps eventually led someone to dig up a very old video featuring a different famous superstar.
Darius Butler resurfaces a forgotten Mahomes video
Darius Butler is a former defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts who decided to join the fun. He posted a vintage clip showing Patrick Mahomes struggling during his own ceremonial pitch many years ago.
This throwback video quickly went viral as people began comparing the 2 quarterbacks and their skills. It was a clever way to remind everyone that even the very best players have bad days sometimes.
The setting of Mahomes ceremonial first pitch
The video resurfaced by Darius Butler showed Patrick Mahomes throwing a ceremonial first pitch before a Texas Rangers game in 2016, well before he became a legendary and famous NFL superstar.
Mahomes’ throw missed badly, creating a sharp contrast with the accuracy and success he later displayed as the Kansas City Chiefs franchise quarterback. It was a very humbling moment for the young star.
Mahomes responds to the viral post
Patrick Mahomes eventually saw the post on X and decided to weigh in with a lighthearted response. He did not get defensive or upset about the old footage being brought back into the public light.
Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback used 3 laughing emojis to show his amusement. He clearly found the situation funny and was happy to poke a bit of fun at his own past performance.
The plea from Mahomes to delete footage
Mahomes jokingly told Butler to chill out while asking about the status of that specific video clip. He wrote that he honestly thought all footage of that embarrassing moment had been deleted from the internet.
His playful request for the video to disappear only made the post more popular with his fans. It showed a relatable side of the champion that many people found refreshing and very entertaining to read.
Why the superstar did not take it personally
It was very clear that the superstar did not take the online comparison or the post personally. By engaging with the joke, he proved that he has a great sense of humor regarding his mishaps.
Mahomes is known for being a competitor, but he also knows when to laugh at himself. This reaction helped diffuse any potential tension and kept the mood light for everyone following the viral story online.
Mahomes has a strong baseball background
Patrick Mahomes grew up around baseball and briefly played the sport at Texas Tech, where he worked as a pitcher before focusing full-time on football. He was very talented in both major sports.
That background made his errant ceremonial first pitch especially surprising to many fans. People expected much more from someone with his level of experience on the mound during those earlier years.
The irony of his struggles with baseball
Despite his college experience, he somehow could not get anywhere near the strike zone during that pitch. It serves as a funny reminder that even specialized training does not guarantee a perfect performance under pressure.
Even a trained pitcher can have a lapse in form when they are stepping onto a big stage. The irony of his baseball past only adds another layer of comedy to the viral 2016 video.
Fun fact: Patrick Mahomes is a superstar athlete with a bizarre culinary quirk: he puts ketchup on everything, including expensive steaks and Thanksgiving turkey. It is a “scandal” fans affectionately call KetchupGate.
Growing up around professional baseball
Patrick Mahomes is the son of former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes, who spent more than a decade in the major leagues. This upbringing provided him with a unique perspective on professional sports.
Growing up around professional baseball made Mahomes’ errant ceremonial first pitch especially surprising to fans. One would expect the child of a pro pitcher to handle a simple toss with much more ease.
How NFL success makes mistakes easier
Since that awkward moment in 2016, Mahomes has gone on to achieve incredible things in the NFL. He has secured 3 Super Bowl titles and earned 2 Most Valuable Player awards during his illustrious career.
With so many accolades and rings, he can surely afford to laugh off a bad throw from many years ago. His current status as a football icon makes his past baseball failures seem very insignificant.
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The ultimate lesson about the digital age
If there is a single lesson to learn here, it is that the internet never truly forgets anything. Old videos can resurface at any time to haunt even the most successful athletes in the world.
Mahomes now knows that his past mistakes are always just one click away from going viral again. He handles it with grace, reminding us all that we should be able to laugh at our past.
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Do you think Patrick Mahomes is right to want that 2016 footage buried, or should he embrace the hilarious proof that even the best athletes have off days? Share your favorite “fail” moment from a pro superstar in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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