Chicago Bears Quarterback Caleb Williams Makes Statement with Painted Nails

Caleb Williams, the standout quarterback for the Chicago Bears, has drawn attention for his painted nails, a trend that began back in college. Ahead of the Bears’ 2025 NFL season opener on Monday night, he showcased a significant message during warm-ups.

On one hand, his nails featured a suicide prevention logo along with corresponding colors, while the other hand bore the number “988,” which is associated with the suicide and crisis lifeline.

While the exact reason for his choice of this specific message isn’t clear, it’s not unusual for him to use his nails for motivation. As the first overall pick in the previous NFL Draft, Williams has been open about expressing his personality—something that often includes bold fashion choices.

In his rookie season, he caught attention with his painted nails, which previously displayed messages such as his number 18 and the slogan “Dabear.” He has also been known to write motivational phrases, with one of his more controversial messages reading “f —Utah” during his time at USC.

Reflecting on a challenging 2024 season that culminated in a mid-season coaching change, Williams admitted it was tough adjusting to the team’s struggles. “It’s difficult to do,” he told ESPN. “We were losing and trying to find a way to get things back on track. I think it was a new year. I was a bit worn out at the end.”

Now, under new head coach Ben Johnson, Williams appears to have regained his confidence. He speaks candidly about being true to himself, saying, “I’m not going to apologize for that. I’m going to be me. I know what I am, so I don’t let others’ opinions bother me.”

Indeed, it seems he knows his way around the football field. The 2025 season kicked off for him with an impressive touchdown run that had Bears fans energized at Soldier Field.