During the Chicago Cubs’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, the opening pitch was given a second chance after Alvin Kamara, the NFL star, awkwardly ran through it. Kamara, instead of hesitating, smiled and shrugged off the nerves before delivering a much improved pitch. Although not common, Kamara isn’t the only well-known athlete to have a second attempt at the ceremonial first pitch—Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin also enjoyed a redo in 2018 when his initial throw went astray.
This moment highlighted how challenging pitching really is, even for elite athletes, as throwing from the mound to home plate is no easy feat. Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowler and the New Orleans Saints’ all-time leading rusher with over 11,500 yards since 2017, clearly shows his comfort shines on the football field rather than the baseball diamond.
Fan Take: For NFL fans, seeing a superstar like Alvin Kamara embrace a lighter moment off the field humanizes him and bridges the gap between sports. It reminds us that even the best athletes face challenges outside their domain, and their crossover appearances add fun and excitement to the sporting world.