Why Jameis Winston is appearing on Netflix’s MLB Opening Day broadcast for Yankees vs. Giants

Former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is set to join Netflix’s MLB Opening Day broadcast crew as a special guest during Wednesday night’s stream of the New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants. Winston, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 after a standout career at Florida State, which also included a national championship in 2013, will bring his signature blend of humor, inspiration and motivation to the streaming platform’s pregame and studio coverage as part of Netflix’s inaugural Opening Day production.

The Giants will welcome the Yankees to Oracle Park at 8 p.m. ET, with Netflix’s special coverage scheduled to begin an hour before first pitch.

The matchup represents another step in Netflix’s expanding live sports programming. The platform drew record numbers for boxing with its broadcast of the Jake Paul–Mike Tyson exhibition fight in 2024. A month later, it entered the NFL’s Christmas Day slate, airing the Baltimore Ravens–Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs–Pittsburgh Steelers games.

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Wednesday’s matchup will mark Netflix’s first regular-season MLB broadcast. The stream is part of a three-year agreement that also gives the platform exclusive rights to the annual Home Run Derby during All-Star Week. Winston will join a broadcast team that includes baseball legends CC Sabathia, Barry Bonds, Anthony Rizzo and Hunter Pence.

Jameis Winston’s most viral moments

“Famous Jameis” has become something of a media darling during his 11-year NFL career. Once a starter who led the NFL in completions and passing yards in 2019, while also leading the league in interceptions that season, Winston is currently a free agent after spending last year backing up Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxon Dart with the New York Giants.

From locker-room speeches to interviews, Winston has become a fan favorite thanks to his energetic personality and memorable one-liners. His upbeat, larger-than-life energy has produced plenty of moments that are equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.

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Revisiting Jameis Winston’s college baseball career

All jokes aside, Winston knows ball, baseball in pariticular.

The Texas Rangers selected the Bessemer, Alabama, native in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Hueytown High School. Winston ultimately signed with Florida State as a two-sport athlete and played two seasons on the Seminoles’ baseball team as a part-time pitcher and right fielder during his time in Tallahassee.

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In 2013, he batted .235 with nine RBIs in 50 games. In 2014, his final year on the diamond, the right-hander recorded seven saves in 33⅓ innings pitched, striking out 31 batters while posting a 1.08 ERA.

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