March 27, 2025 – New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley has stirred up intrigue both on and off the field this week, but this time it’s not about his performance in the NFL. The 23-year-old rookie took to social media on Wednesday to share a startling claim: he witnessed an unidentified flying object (UFO) while vacationing in Florida. The revelation has sparked a flurry of reactions, ranging from skepticism to fascination, as fans and followers weigh in on the bizarre encounter.
Corley, who was drafted by the Jets in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, posted several videos on X showing a mysterious blue light glowing behind clouds in the night sky. Accompanying the footage, he wrote, “Say whatever you want. This object (ufo), was legitimately up in the sky for over 30 minutes. I watched it. I stopped watching for about 2 minutes and looked up it was gone. No trace.” The post, punctuated with a UFO emoji, quickly went viral, drawing attention from sports enthusiasts and UFO buffs alike.
The incident reportedly occurred outside Corley’s Florida home, where he’s been spending time during the NFL offseason. In the clips, the blue light appears stationary at first, hovering ominously before vanishing without explanation. Corley’s bold assertion that it was a UFO has fueled speculation, with some suggesting it could be linked to recent unexplained aerial phenomena reported across the United States. Others, however, were quick to offer more mundane explanations, pointing to the Hard Rock Guitar Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, known for its powerful Sky Beam that can create similar visual effects.
“Whatever the hell it was, I don’t know. But it was definitely identified, it was definitely flying, it was definitely a large object,” Corley later elaborated in a follow-up post. The statement only deepened the mystery, as the young athlete stood firm on his observation. His comments also drew parallels to his former teammate, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has openly discussed his own belief in extraterrestrial encounters. Could the Jets’ locker room be a breeding ground for cosmic curiosity? Fans on X certainly think so, with one user joking, “First Rodgers, now Corley—Jets are the UFO team now!”
Corley’s rookie season with the Jets was a mixed bag, marked by limited playing time and a memorable blunder against the Houston Texans in Week 9, where he dropped the ball just shy of the goal line in a premature celebration. Despite the ups and downs, the Western Kentucky alum has shown flashes of potential, earning him the nickname “The YAC King” for his yards-after-catch ability in college. Now, with this UFO sighting, he’s keeping his name in the headlines for reasons beyond football.
As the story gains traction, reactions have been predictably varied. Some fans praised Corley’s willingness to share such an unusual experience, while others mocked the claim, suggesting he might’ve been fooled by a drone or a light show. “Bro saw the Hard Rock beam and called it a UFO,” one X user quipped. Meanwhile, UFO enthusiasts have seized the opportunity to analyze the footage, debating whether it aligns with patterns of unexplained sightings reported in Florida, a state known for its fair share of strange skies.
For now, Corley seems unfazed by the doubters. His insistence that the object lingered for over half an hour before disappearing adds a layer of intrigue that’s hard to dismiss outright. Whether it was an extraterrestrial visitor, a trick of the light, or something else entirely, the Jets wideout has given the NFL offseason an unexpected twist. As he prepares for his second year in the league, one thing’s clear: Malachi Corley isn’t afraid to stand out—whether it’s on the gridiron or under the stars.