APPLETON — Jordan Love knows what his last ceremonial first pitch looked like — part eephus pitch, part unlimited arc beer-league softball toss — and hasn’t forgotten the grief he got for his effort. 

That’s why the Green Bay Packers quarterback has been prepping for his return to American Family Field for the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2026 season-opener on Thursday, when he and another Jordan — Olympic speedskating gold medalist and Kewaskum native Jordan Stolz — are set to throw out ceremonial first pitches before the Brewers face the Chicago White Sox.

“This year, I’m going to be a lot better,” Love said Wednesday afternoon before distributing cleats to Wisconsin sports teams as part of his Hands of 10ve Foundation initiative that supplied teams with footwear here and in his native Bakersfield, Calif., for every touchdown he’s responsible for during the season. “I was very disappointed in the throw last year.”

Will have much more on @WISCTV_News3 later from #Packers QB Jordan Love distributing cleats to local teams today in Appleton with his Hands of 10ve Foundation, but he made a promise about tomorrow’s first pitch at the @Brewers opener: “This year I’m going to be a lot better.” ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/1hHMIjQKz9

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) March 25, 2026

Love got some good-natured grief from teammates and reporters after last year’s throw, which came before a May 26 game against the Boston Red Sox. He admitted afterward that he should’ve warmed up and was worried about throwing a ball in the dirt as he wound up from the mound.

While Love didn’t reveal his strategy for Thursday’s throw, he did say he’s been prepping for it during workouts at Lambeau Field while he’s been in town the last few days.

“I go up to the facility and work out, and we found some time to sneak in a couple of baseball throws in there. I need all the practice I can get,” Love said with a laugh. “It’s just so much different than throwing a football.

“[It’s] opening day, so I’ve got to help these guys get off on the right start. I think the opening pitches is going to be great [since] I’ve been practicing. So, hopefully I go out there and have a great, great first pitch.”

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