New York Mets fans were outraged after Haliey Welch, widely recognized for her viral video that graphically demonstrated oral sex techniques, was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field before the Mets’ game against the Oakland A’s on Thursday. Welch, who gained internet fame and the nickname ‘Hawk Tuah‘ from the video, sparked significant controversy as she took the mound for this event.
The backlash from the Mets’ fanbase was swift, particularly because many young fans were present for a summer camp day at the ballpark. One fan expressed their disbelief on social media, saying, “So the @Mets decided to get the Hawk Tuah Girl to throw out the 1st pitch for a summer ‘camp day’ day game where the vast majority of fans are 11-year-old kids at the ballpark on camp trips. Seriously, what were they thinking? Be better than this.” Another fan echoed the sentiment, questioning the decision by stating, “We have 120 Olympic medalists and you chose her? Seriously?”
Welch, hailing from Tennessee, has leveraged her controversial fame to build a substantial online following, boasting over 2 million Instagram followers. Her internet popularity has opened doors for her, including merchandise sales featuring her infamous catchphrase and interactions with celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal. However, not everyone is pleased with her rise to fame. Tennis star Nick Kyrgios took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Welch, remarking, “No correlation between fame and actually being decent at something anymore,” with a laughing emoji.
Welch’s viral video, where she and a friend performed a graphic oral sex demonstration, has been a significant factor in her notoriety. Despite the negative attention, she continues to expand her influence, collaborating with country music star Zach Bryan and even engaging in discussions about a potential fight with popstar JoJo Siwa. Former No. 1 women’s atomweight fighter Michelle Waterson has also offered to train Welch, further highlighting her growing reach.
The Mets’ decision to feature Welch underscores an ongoing debate about the intersection of social media fame and traditional sports events. The strong reactions from fans point to broader concerns about appropriateness and the values being promoted at family-friendly sports gatherings.
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