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Caleb Williams Throws First Pitch at Washington Nationals Game

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•05/20/23•

ErikTMcKinney

Caleb Williams (10)
USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams throws a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers at Nationals Park. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)

Caleb Williams will be back on the USC campus at some point, but the nation’s best college football player is getting every bit out of his visit back home to Washington D.C.

On Saturday afternoon, Williams threw out the first pitch ahead of the Washington Nationals’ home game against the Detroit Tigers.

Williams took the mound in a Nationals jersey and USC shorts, firing a pitch to Nationals pitcher Mason Thompson. The USC fight song blared briefly after he delivered the pitch.

College football players throwing out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game is obviously not a common occurrence. Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett threw out the first pitch at the home opener for the Atlanta Braves earlier this season. But Williams is doing this with a year of college football still to play.

It was quite a two-day span for Williams. On Friday, the USC quarterback returned to Gonzaga College High School to see his No. 18 jersey retired by the Eagles. Gonzaga and Williams took some time to also celebrate his 2022 Heisman Trophy win. Williams also launched the D.C. branch of his Caleb Cares Foundation, which has already produced tremendous results in Los Angeles as he works closely with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro L.A.

Williams continues to be face of college football this offseason. He ranks No. 2 in the On3 College Football NIL Rankings, behind only Texas quarterback Arch Manning and the Manning name. Williams recently signed a major NIL deal with Neutrogena. This fall, he’ll look to become the second-ever player to win two Heisman Trophies.

Obviously spurred on by Williams’ first pitch, the Nationals went on to defeat the Tigers 6-2.

Williams Joins Riley as First Pitch Honorees

Williams can swap first pitch stories with his head coach now. Riley threw the first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers game on May 13, 2022. It was USC night at the stadium

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz