Caleb Williams is going to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft. As a result, the USC standout and Heisman Trophy winner is facing more scrutiny as a 22-year-old than most people encounter in a lifetime.
But that’s not stopping Williams from being himself. Known for his expressive personality, he painted his nails throughout his college career, occasionally riling up opponents in the process. But now, the All-American is agitating a different group of people.
Homophobic football fans.
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On Monday night, Williams attended the Trojans women’s basketball team’s second round NCAA Tournament matchup against Kansas. When the cameras spanned in his direction, he showed off his fingernails, phone case and wallet, all of which were… pink.
That’s right: pink!
As we’ve covered before, Williams is far from the only Gen Z male athlete to paint his nails. Duke standout Jared McCain rocks a fabulous manicure as well, and just made March Madness history with a 30-point, zero turnover performance.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas also enjoys a mani-pedi, and tries to link his nail polish with positive messages. Earlier this year, the Red Sox produced a YouTube video showing Casas at the nail salon, an activity that he enjoys with his mom.
Related:
Duke star Jared McCain & his fabulous manicure just made March Madness history
McCain, who unapologetically flouts gender norms, scored 30 points Sunday night in Duke’s playoff win.
Much like Cases, Williams also uses his mani-pedis as a way to bond with his mom, who works as a nail technician.
“My mom does nails. Let’s just start it off there,” he said in an interview last fall. “She’s done it my whole life. It’s just kind of always been around me. Nobody else does it. I just kinda like to do new things.”
The messages on Williams’ nails range from uplifting to cocky. He’s painted them with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, as well as taunts directed towards opposing teams. One of the biggest wins of his college career came in October 2022, when he accounted for four touchdowns in USC’s statement win over Notre Dame.
During the affair, fans noticed that Williams’ nails represented his intentions. They said, “F— NDXX.”
That’s not to say that Williams’ flamboyance doesn’t occasionally backfire. For the 2022 Pac-12 Championship, his nails said “F— Utah.”
The Trojans wound up losing 47-24.
Still, Williams says his antics are all in good fun, and bring him closer to his mom.
“My mom was my inspiration,” he said. “I would always sit around or just you know, either I’m playing my game or I’ll mess my mom, I still mess my mom a lot. So I was playing my game, messing with my mom and kind of just sitting there she’d always do my nails. I didn’t get paint on him, but she’d always do ’em.”
Williams is clearly full of swagger and confidence, two traits that football fans usually laud.
As long as they’re expressed in a stereotypically masculine way. On social media, homophobes are piling on Williams, with encouragement from the predictable right-wing troll sites.
“Social media roasts Caleb Williams’ look at women’s basketball game,” writes OutKick.
“What the … ? Caleb Williams has a pink phone and pink nails to match,” the Daily Caller whines.
A sampling of popular comments about Williams’ look aren’t any kinder.
“I can’t wait to see which gm gets fired for drafting the mega bust,” one person replied.
“He loves Polish sausage. Perfect fit for the Bears,” adds another bigot.
Even before his pink nails were revealed, some macho meatheads maligned Williams as “soft,” one of the worst insults that can be hoisted upon a football star. When he cried in his mother’s arms following a tough defeat last season, the coverage made it seem as if he committed the ultimate sin.
Williams responded with a statement about mental health.
“I go out every single day, blood, sweat and tears. I give my all on every single play, every chance that I get. I’ve been an advocate for mental health, show your emotions and express yourself,” he wrote on Instagram.
The brouhaha over Williams’ antics also have a racial component. Though the landscape is improving, Black quarterbacks are still dogged with criticisms about their focus and leadership abilities that white QBs don’t face. One of the most notable examples is Cam Newton, whom the Carolina Panthers selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Known for elaborate touchdown celebrations, Newton was maligned and scrutinized throughout his career. Despite the bigotry, Newton went on to lead the Panthers to their most successful run ever. The three-time Pro Bowler won an MVP with the team and led them to their second Super Bowl appearance.
May Williams’ run be just as successful. We can’t wait to see what his nails say on draft night.
dbmcvey
Triggered by nail polish. Absolutely pathetic.
m
It hurts their sky daddy
abfab
And thier earth mommies for freedoms and liberties.
ZzBomb
I’m absolutely loving all these hyper-masculine men completely shirking the status quos as to what masculinity can mean and be.
If it is plausible, and possible, with no universal law of physics preventing it, it can be done. Dudes wearing nail polish is simply an example of this maxim at work.
m
Thank you Sexy ally.
Kangol2
Caleb Williams is an incredibly talented QB and I wish him every success. The h0m0ph0bes are the problem, not Caleb Williams.
BTW, Patrick Mahomes, the QB whose team won the last 2 Super Bowls, is Bl@ck.
In 2023, he faced another Bl@ck QB, Jalen Hurt s, who led the NFC’s top team, the Philadelphia Eagles. The winner of this year’s NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson, is a Bl@ck QB.
Just do a search of the names Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurt s, C. J. Stroud, Da k Prescott, Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson, etc. This past year (2023-24) had SIX Bl@ck QBs starting in the playoffs!
abfab
As long as it’s non-toxic GO FOR IT!
Kangol2
Mega props and power to Caleb Williams. I hope you’re the #1 pick or close to that. Thanks also for being an ally! And he’s one of many Black QBs in the league now, Queerty. Many.
bachy
so pretty
Kangol2
Ain’t he, though? Brotha is fine! WHEW!
abfab
Yes.
Res1
How do painted nails and the color pink represent being gay? Gay is a sexual orientation, not an act. Straight men going against gender norms doesn’t mean they do it for gay men.
abfab
Straight men do not go against ”the norms”. That is why they are known as straight. Think about that.