The Minnesota Vikings supporters might feel a bit more at ease knowing Sam Darnold is set to be their starting quarterback for Week 1, especially after witnessing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s mishap during a ceremonial first pitch at a Minnesota Twins game last night.
McCarthy, who was selected as the No. 10 overall pick and comes off a national championship win with Michigan, was invited to throw the first pitch.
This should have been a straightforward task for someone accustomed to accurately throwing a football under immense pressure.
However, the outcome was far from what anyone expected. McCarthy’s throw missed the mark significantly, veering so far off course that even the catcher had no chance of salvaging it. The crowd’s reaction was immediate and vocal, with a collective groan echoing through the stands as the ball sailed awkwardly to the side.
The footage of the throw quickly circulated online, becoming fodder for numerous jokes and comments from fans.
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Social media users didn’t hold back in their commentary:
“He visualized a Packer in the batter’s box and beaned him,” joked one fan, making a playful reference to the fierce NFL rivalry.
“This really isn’t that hard… any NFL quarterback should make this look easy. Or college. Or high school for that matter lol,” critiqued another, highlighting the expectation of basic athletic competence.
“So glad I wasn’t in my seat to see this atrocity. Jordan Love is gonna own this kid!” exclaimed a third, already speculating about McCarthy’s future NFL matchups.
Clearly, J.J. McCarthy has his work cut out for him if he hopes to win over the Vikings fanbase.
This first pitch may be a minor incident in the grand scheme of his career, but it underscores the intense scrutiny and high expectations that come with stepping into the professional sports arena. McCarthy will need to demonstrate significant prowess on the football field to shift the narrative and gain the confidence of the fans and critics alike.
