“Caitlin Clark Bursts Into Laughter as Jake from State Farm’s Hilariously Bad ‘Behind-the-Back’ Pass Goes Viral: Fans Say ‘Stick to Insurance!’”

Caitlin Clark Bursts Into Laughter as Jake from State Farm’s Hilariously Bad ‘Behind-the-Back’ Pass Goes Viral: Fans Say ‘Stick to Insurance!’

When a brand mascot enters the world of professional sports, you expect some awkwardness. But no one expected this much comedy when Jake from State Farm stepped onto the hardwood with WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark. Their short but side-splitting collaboration recently broke the internet—not because of basketball brilliance, but because of a behind-the-back pass that went very wrong and left Clark laughing uncontrollably.

Now trending across all major platforms, the 30-second clip features Jake attempting to “assist” Caitlin Clark during a promotional shoot. The problem? His assist looked more like a blooper from an office league game. Fans couldn’t get enough.

So how did a commercial moment become an unexpected sports comedy hit? Let’s break it all down.

The Setup: When Insurance Meets Basketball Royalty

State Farm has been known for clever commercials featuring sports stars, most notably with Chris Paul, Patrick Mahomes, and Aaron Rodgers. But teaming up with Caitlin Clark marked a new chapter—and for good reason. Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has rapidly become the face of a new generation of women’s basketball.

Her partnership with State Farm made perfect sense. She’s charismatic, witty, and known for her killer court vision. Who better to teach Jake a thing or two about passing?

Well… that was the plan.

The “Behind-the-Back” Heard Around the Internet

In the now-viral clip, Jake confidently proclaims, “I’m the assist guy!” before attempting an overly dramatic behind-the-back pass. It doesn’t even come close to Clark, who’s standing just feet away. Instead, the ball ricochets off in the wrong direction, barely grazing her side before rolling off the court.

Clark bursts into laughter instantly. Her reaction—half surprise, half disbelief—is what fans say made the moment.

“No way you just did that,” Clark chuckles, hands on her hips. “That was your behind-the-back pass?”

Jake, trying to save face, shrugs and says, “It looked better in my head.”

And just like that, a commercial outtake became the sports blooper of the summer.

Caitlin Clark: The Queen of Dimes (And Reactions)

Caitlin Clark is known for her elite passing ability. She led the NCAA in assists during her time at Iowa and has already made a name for herself in the WNBA for her jaw-dropping court vision. Her nickname—“Queen of Dimes”—isn’t just for show.

Which made Jake’s failed pass all the more ridiculous.

“I’ve seen some bad passes,” Clark joked in a follow-up interview, “but that one might be Top 3 all-time. I still don’t know where he was aiming.”

Fans loved that she didn’t take it too seriously. Her lightheartedness has always been part of her appeal. And watching her try to coach Jake—then laugh when it all fell apart—was a reminder of why she connects with so many people.

Fans React: “Jake… Please Don’t Quit Your Day Job”

Social media exploded within minutes of the clip being posted on TikTok and Instagram.

Top TikTok comments included:

“Jake’s pass looked like me trying to impress my crush in 6th grade gym class 😂”
“She said ‘Queen of Dimes’ and he gave her 2 cents.”
“That pass was so bad it should be illegal without insurance.”

On Twitter (X), users chimed in:

“Jake from State Farm needs a training camp. Caitlin Clark deserves hazard pay.”
“Someone get this man into NBA 2K Practice Mode… immediately.”

The post reached over 8 million views in 24 hours, and #JakeFromStateFarm trended nationwide for a full day—beating out some actual WNBA games in engagement. For a brand campaign, this was gold.

State Farm’s Response: Embracing the Laughs

Rather than dodge the jokes, State Farm leaned in.

The official @StateFarm account tweeted:

“Sometimes you miss the pass, but you don’t miss the moment. Shoutout to Caitlin Clark for being the MVP of patience. #JakeAssistFail”

They followed it up with a remix video: slow-mo replay of the pass attempt, complete with dramatic music and a “pass failed” video game graphic.

Needless to say, the marketing team turned a hilarious fail into viral gold.

Why This Moment Matters More Than You Think

It’s easy to laugh it off as just another funny brand moment. But there’s a deeper story here.

Caitlin Clark’s growing popularity has allowed her to bridge mainstream and sports audiences in a way few WNBA players have before. When a women’s basketball clip goes mega-viral and it’s not just a game highlight, but a comedic crossover, it opens doors.

Fans who wouldn’t normally watch the WNBA are now tuning in—not just because of Clark’s skills, but because of her charisma. She’s showing that female athletes can dominate both on the court and on camera.

The Rise of Crossover Collabs in Sports Marketing

This moment is part of a larger trend: sports stars collaborating with entertainment and commercial brands in ways that don’t take themselves too seriously.

From Travis Kelce on Saturday Night Live to Serena Williams in fashion campaigns, athletes today are brands in motion.

Jake from State Farm, for all his scripted awkwardness, represents the everyman—and Caitlin Clark showed that she can play off that dynamic effortlessly. It’s authentic, unscripted humor, and audiences are craving more of it.

So… Will Jake Get a Rematch?

According to behind-the-scenes sources, this isn’t the last we’ll see of Jake and Caitlin. Apparently, another segment is in the works—this time featuring a “Passing 101” crash course where Clark tries to actually teach Jake a few real techniques.

Caitlin joked about it during a recent interview:

“I told him next time we’re doing chest passes only. No more trick shots unless he’s practiced at least 50 reps.”

One fan even started a Change.org petition titled: “Let Jake Try a Layup Next!”

Final Thoughts: A Missed Pass, But a Slam Dunk Moment

The behind-the-back pass may have failed spectacularly, but the moment was a slam dunk in terms of fan engagement, brand exposure, and pure entertainment.

In an era where athletes are expected to be polished, controlled, and media-trained 24/7, Caitlin Clark’s genuine laughter and quick wit were refreshing. And Jake? Well, he reminded us all that sports are supposed to be fun—even when you miss the mark completely.

The verdict? We want more.

So here’s to the next hilarious crossover, the next viral assist fail, and the next chance for Caitlin Clark to show the world that whether it’s basketball or branding, she’s always in control—even when Jake isn’t.