Caleb Williams' Painted Nails Aren't News: Why Does Self-Expression Elicit Sensationalism?

NFL Draft season is a fascinating time of the year. With months between the end of college football and Day 1 of the draft, potential draft picks aren't turning out new game tape. Yet, there's always a top prospect who turns into a pre-draft punching bag for NFL analysts.

Last year, it was C.J. Stroud and his reported low score on the S2 Cognition Test. In 2021, it was Justin Fields, as Dan Orlovsky questioned the Ohio State product's character by asking, "Where is his desire to be a great quarterback?"

This year, Williams has been the main target, with many NFL "experts" peddling lazy, unsupported, or even false narratives about the presumed No. 1 overall pick.

Look at Merril Hoge, who labeled Williams as "not special" after watching six games of tape. Or Colin Cowherd, who baselessly claimed that Williams "has real concerns" about going to Chicago. And there's Robert Griffin III, who argued Williams should demand a trade from Chicago ala 2004 Eli Manning.

This isn't meant to be a "leave Caleb Williams alone" type piece. The USC signal-caller is a grown man who's clearly not affected by what anybody says about him on TV or online. The issue stems from Williams' self-expression generating headlines in the first place.

So let's discuss Caleb Williams, the person.

Williams isn't the first athlete to wear nail polish during games — the likes of Michael Beasley, Jalen Green, and most recently Duke standout guard Jared McCain have painted their nails for games. Williams isn't the first athlete to wear a dress off the field. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Russell Westbrook, and Jordan Clarkson have donned similar looks. Williams isn't the first athlete to cry following a devastating loss — turn on March Madness to see proof.

He's not the first, or only, athlete to do any of these things, yet he's constantly dragged by the media as if he is. Most recently, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley took to X to rip Williams, linking his nail painting to pedophilia and homosexuality. Beasley is entitled to his opinion, though it sheds light on some deep-seated opinions around the league.

So what should one make of Williams's self-expression? The simple answer is, "Why does it matter?" College defenses likely weren't thinking about Williams' phone case when giving up 300+ passing yards on a Saturday morning to USC. His off-field actions don't affect his on-field play. Williams, the player, is electric — the type that franchises wait decades for — and that's all that should matter.

But in all honesty, the answer is more complicated than that. 

The Big Picture

With the Chicago Bears currently slated to select Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, many have compared the QB to Hall of Fame NBA forward Dennis Rodman, who won three championships with the Chicago Bulls. Rodman was known for his eccentric personality, which he often expressed with dyed hair, painted nails, and unique fashion choices. He was well known for his off-court actions, including his love for Las Vegas. Today, his accomplishments are undeniable, but it took fans a long time to "accept" Rodman and his personality.

Many have pointed out that because Chicago embraced Rodman and his quirks, the Bears should be more than ready to draft a player like Williams. However, when we talk about "accepting" someone's identity, it's clear that there's still a caveat being made. Rodman played in the NBA 25 years ago. The fact that after 25 years, we still need to learn to "accept" a player's personality is disappointing.

Any human should be entitled to self-expression — as long as it's not harming those around them. Professional athletes are no different. It's not up to the fans of a franchise to accept or decline someone for who they are. If their self-expression isn't affecting their physical performance, it shouldn't be a topic of discussion.

If Williams experiences success in the NFL, he'll be deemed a positive role model for young players. One who shows that expressing oneself, even in a nontypical way, is acceptable. Why would we want young athletes to feel the need to pretend to be someone they're not? Because they're playing the game of football?

Caleb Williams will be himself no matter what. He'll bring his personality to Chicago, but his personality doesn't need to be more than that. How Williams expresses himself is his choice, and it's a shame several media pundits are using it to overshadow his play.

History will remember Williams for his wins and losses, passing yards and touchdowns, Super Bowl appearances, and championship rings. History won't remember the design on his nails, the color of his phone case, or his pregame outfits.