Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis appears to be like to cross, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Jeffrey Phelps)
Quarterback Malik Willis seems to be simply the precise man to maintain the Inexperienced Bay Packers afloat whereas beginning QB Jordan Love recovers from an MCL sprain he sustained in Week 1.
Willis guided Inexperienced Bay on Sunday to its first win of the season — a 16-10 conquer the Indianapolis Colts — as he accomplished 12 of his 14 passing makes an attempt for 122 yards, a landing and no interceptions. He additionally added 41 yards on the bottom in six scrambles.
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Willis’ 14-yard strike to receiver Dontayvion Wicks within the first quarter was the first touchdown pass of his NFL career.
Malik Willis throws his first NFL TD cross!#INDvsGB pic.twitter.com/c2ALcrhUN6
— Inexperienced Bay Packers (@packers) September 15, 2024
“I wouldn’t say I’m proud; I’m extra blessed than something,” Willis stated in his press conference following the victory, whereas sporting light eye black within the form of a cross. “I’m simply grateful for God giving me one other alternative someplace totally different.”
Sunday’s recreation marked the primary begin in a Packers uniform for the 25-year-old Willis, who was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Packers simply three weeks in the past after the preseason concluded.
Tennessee initially drafted Willis within the third spherical out of Liberty in 2022, and he made eight appearances (three begins) as a rookie. Nevertheless, he struggled in his time on the sector, as he accomplished solely 50.8% of his 61 passes for 276 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. Willis noticed a discount in enjoying time in 2023, making solely three appearances for the Titans and throwing solely 5 passes.
Now in Inexperienced Bay, Willis credited his Packers teammates and coaches for rallying round him and making ready him with an ideal recreation plan for the matchup with the Colts.
“[Head coach Matt LaFleur] undoubtedly instilled that confidence in me,” Willis stated within the press convention, “so far as, ‘Hey, we’re using with you and we’ve all the boldness on the earth with you. If we didn’t, you wouldn’t be on the market.’”
In his personal postgame press convention, LaFleur was effusive in his reward of Willis.
“I imply, this man bought right here three weeks in the past,” he said, “and for him to have the ability to go on the market and command our offense — we had a variety of lengthy calls; we had shifts, motions, a ton of various run schemes — there was rather a lot placed on his plate. And for him to go on the market and do what he did in the present day, I believe that speaks volumes of who he’s as an individual and the work that he’s put in. Simply tremendous happy with him.”
In every single place he’s been, even dating back to his collegiate days, Willis has impressed folks together with his work ethic and his character. For him, all of it begins together with his religion in Jesus Christ.
“I select to all the time give the glory to Him,” Willis stated in the Fall 2021 edition of Sports Spectrum Magazine whereas quarterbacking Liberty. “Individuals say I’m humble, however I don’t actually know if it’s humble. It’s simply very, very obedient, understanding that it’s not me in any respect. … You’re utilizing the talents that God provides you and go on the market and glorify His title and attempt to unfold the Gospel.”
Willis declares his belief in “God’s Plan” in his Instagram bio, and he’s been identified to submit about his religion.
“Regardless of how lengthy we stay, we’ll by no means know what God has occurring for our lives, so we’ve simply bought to lean on Him — ask for knowledge and the energy to get via it,” Willis stated within the journal. “That’s what I ask for probably the most: knowledge and energy to get via it. Knowledge to attempt to not absolutely perceive as a result of we’ll by no means absolutely perceive what He has for us, however simply perceive what I must be doing in the intervening time, what I must be doing to organize myself. And the energy to get via it mentally and bodily.”
Willis stated within the lead-up to the 2022 draft that he plays for God’s approval, and after being chosen by the Titans, he deflected the reward to Him.
“God’s put me ready the place I can use my platform to glorify Him and convey folks nearer to Him, and simply give pleasure to different folks,” he said. “So I get pleasure from enjoying the sport as a result of I’m blessed with the talents, so I get to go use what God blessed me with and influence different folks and simply make them completely happy.”
Subsequent up on Inexperienced Bay’s schedule? A highway recreation towards these Tennessee Titans (0-2) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Willis is the probably starter towards his former crew, though he insists he’ll strategy the sport like every other.
“I simply attempt to put together as a starter every week. That’s my job,” Willis stated in his press convention after Sunday’s victory. “And I simply attempt to not give attention to who we’re enjoying greater than the sport plan and what we’re making an attempt to do, what we’re making an attempt to perform, and that’s get one other W.”
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