Being the overall first round draft pick with a string of high achievements doesn’t come easy, and for Caleb Williams, they only prove to show his triumph and ability to handle adversity.
Prior to being drafted, Williams attended University of Oklahoma in 2021 and played behind now Saints’ quarterback, Spencer Rattler. Williams became the starter over Rattler midway through a game with the Texas Longhorns in their sixth game of the season. Williams helped the team win , 55-48, and became the starter in the following week.
At the end of the season, Williams finished his freshman year with a 5-2 record, 21 passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. He then transferred to USC to reunite with Lincoln Riley and became the starter. At the end of his college career, Williams started 33 games where he went 23-10, had 735-of-1099 receptions for 9,782 yards, 93 passing touchdowns, 27 rushing touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
For his spectacular effort, Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, the 2022 Maxwell Award, 2022 Walter Camp Award, 2022 AP College Football Player of the Year, 2022 SN College Football Player of the Year, Unanimous All-American, Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, First-team All-Pac-12 and Second-team All-Big-12 in 2021. All of this led to him being the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, going to the Chicago Bears.
After a viral video of him crying to his mom after losing to the Washington Huskies in a 52-42 game, the general public had opposing views on his character. Nonetheless, Williams spoke out about it, highlighting the importance of him being his authentic self and celebrating mental health awareness.
This isn’t the first time Williams took part in mental health advocacy. According to Essentially Sports, Williams “lent his voice to a student-produced PSA that has seized the collaborative efforts Ad Council along with the Jed Foundation, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Caleb Cares Foundation, and the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.”
Caleb Cares is a foundation started by Williams “for those kids who are suffering because they don’t fit in.” The organization focuses on mental health advocacy, anti-bullying efforts and youth empowerment. The Caleb Cares website also features statistics and information about the importance of advocating for those issues to end.
“I created Caleb Cares to empower kids, shine a spotlight on mental health, and eliminate bullying. I was raised to give back. My mom always cared for kids at the daycare she owned and operated. My dad always seemed to be helping someone out. My high school, Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC, instilled in me the importance of service.” Williams’ website says.
Williams is a fresh face in the Chicago Bears organization, and the NFL at-large, being widely accepted by Chicago for what he can do on the field – and more importantly, off the field.
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