We know why Bears QB Caleb Williams paints his nails for football games

It hasn't been uncommon through the years for baseball catchers to paint their fingernails. They've got to put signs down that a pitcher can see from 60 feet away. It can help.

It's not something that translates to being an NFL quarterback, though, unless you're looking at the nails of Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams.

The second-year passer, who was the No. 1 overall pick out of USC in the 2024 NFL Draft, usually paints his nails for games.

And if you're wondering if there's a reason: Of course there is. And it's a pretty good one.

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Why does Caleb Williams paint his nails?

Caleb Williams paints his nails in large part because of his mother.

“It started, I would say, three years ago,” Williams said during a 2023 USC Athletics interview. “It was my last year of high school. My mom does nails. Let’s just start it off there. 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.”

By painting his nails, Williams is giving his mother a subtle but very real shoutout while he plays in NFL games.

With the high pressure involved as a top-tier quarterback, it's cool that Williams has a way to recognize the importance of his mother in his journey.

Williams also doesn't mind standing out. He definitely wears louder outfits than some quarterbacks. If you catch him courtside at an NBA game, for example, Williams is often making some kind of fashion statement.

This is just who he is. And with the way his play has improved in year two, he's standing out just as much for being a phenomenal quarterback as he is for whatever he decides to do with his nails.

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