Quarterback Malik Willis appears to be just the right man to keep the Green Bay Packers afloat while starting QB Jordan Love recovers from an MCL sprain he sustained in Week 1.
Willis guided Green Bay on Sunday to its first win of the season — a 16-10 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts — as he completed 12 of his 14 passing attempts for 122 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He also added 41 yards on the ground in six scrambles.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
Willis’ 14-yard strike to receiver Dontayvion Wicks in the first quarter was the first touchdown pass of his NFL career.
Malik Willis throws his first NFL TD pass!#INDvsGB pic.twitter.com/c2ALcrhUN6
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 15, 2024
“I wouldn’t say I’m proud; I’m more blessed than anything,” Willis said in his press conference following the victory, while wearing faded eye black in the shape of a cross. “I’m just grateful for God giving me another opportunity somewhere different.”
Sunday’s game marked the first start in a Packers uniform for the 25-year-old Willis, who was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Packers just three weeks ago after the preseason concluded.
Tennessee originally drafted Willis in the third round out of Liberty in 2022, and he made eight appearances (three starts) as a rookie. However, he struggled in his time on the field, as he completed only 50.8% of his 61 passes for 276 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. Willis saw a reduction in playing time in 2023, making only three appearances for the Titans and throwing only five passes.
Now in Green Bay, Willis credited his Packers teammates and coaches for rallying around him and preparing him with a perfect game plan for the matchup with the Colts.
“[Head coach Matt LaFleur] definitely instilled that confidence in me,” Willis said in the press conference, “as far as, ‘Hey, we’re riding with you and we have all the confidence in the world with you. If we didn’t, you wouldn’t be out there.'”
In his own postgame press conference, LaFleur was effusive in his praise of Willis.
“I mean, this guy got here three weeks ago,” he said, “and for him to be able to go out there and command our offense — we had a lot of long calls; we had shifts, motions, a ton of different run schemes — there was a lot put on his plate. And for him to go out there and do what he did today, I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the work that he’s put in. Just super proud of him.”
Everywhere he’s been, even dating back to his collegiate days, Willis has impressed people with his work ethic and his character. For him, it all starts with his faith in Jesus Christ.
“I choose to always give the glory to Him,” Willis said in the Fall 2021 edition of Sports Spectrum Magazine while quarterbacking Liberty. “People say I’m humble, but I don’t really know if it’s humble. It’s just very, very obedient, knowing that it’s not me at all. … You’re using the abilities that God gives you and go out there and glorify His name and try to spread the Gospel.”
Willis declares his trust in “God’s Plan” in his Instagram bio, and he’s been known to post about his faith.
View this post on Instagram
“No matter how long we live, we will never know what God has going on for our lives, so we’ve just got to lean on Him — ask for wisdom and the strength to get through it,” Willis said in the magazine. “That’s what I ask for the most: wisdom and strength to get through it. Wisdom to try to not fully understand because we’ll never fully understand what He has for us, but just understand what I need to be doing at the moment, what I need to be doing to prepare myself. And the strength to get through it mentally and physically.”
Willis said in the lead-up to the 2022 draft that he plays for God’s approval, and after being selected by the Titans, he deflected the praise to Him.
“God’s put me in a position where I can use my platform to glorify Him and bring people closer to Him, and just give joy to other people,” he said. “So I enjoy playing the game because I’m blessed with the abilities, so I get to go use what God blessed me with and impact other people and just make them happy.”
Next up on Green Bay’s schedule? A road game against those Tennessee Titans (0-2) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Willis is the likely starter against his former team, although he insists he’ll approach the game like any other.
“I just try to prepare as a starter each week. That’s my job,” Willis said in his press conference after Sunday’s victory. “And I just try to not focus on who we’re playing more than the game plan and what we’re trying to do, what we’re trying to accomplish, and that’s get another W.”
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— Despite falling in NFL draft, QB Malik Willis aims to ‘spread the glory of God’
— WATCH: Liberty QB Malik Willis on listening to God amid the hype
— MAGAZINE: Liberty QB Malik Willis Stays Humble Amid The Hype
— QB Malik Willis places faith in God’s timing as he leads undefeated Liberty
— 15 Christ-following NFL players to watch in 2024
