Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has once again made headlines over his painted nails during Monday Night Football, this time in a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Williams used his nails to raise awareness for mental health, specifically suicide prevention.
Why did Caleb Williams paint his nails?
The NFL star had the Suicide Prevention Helpline logo and the number 988 painted on his nails, sending a strong message to viewers about the importance of seeking help during a crisis.
In a 2023 interview with USC Athletics, Williams explained that he began painting his nails in 2021, during his final year of high school.
“My mom has always done nails, so it’s something I’ve been around my whole life,” he said. “I just thought it would be something different to do.” While his nail art has frequently drawn attention and sparked criticism, Williams has remained steadfast in his decision to express his individuality.
‘Isn’t this a manly sport?’
Netizens were divided as they saw Williams with nail paints. A user noted, “Nobody can read that, all they know is he paints his nails so they get a little turned off and start to reconsider football as a manly sport.”
Another claimed,” Caleb Williams needs to spend less time worrying about his nails and more time on playing a full game in a way that will result in a win.”
“Powerful gesture. This shows how athletes can use personal branding for meaningful causes creating emotional impact while strengthening authenticity and connection with fans,” noted a user.
“Williams using his platform for more than touchdowns—those painted nails speak louder than most press conferences,” added a netizen.