Before the Monday Night Football game between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles, there was quite a scene during the national anthem, and Caleb Williams stood out in a rather unusual way.
The “Star-Spangled Banner” was performed by the Mariachi Herencia de México, while players, coaches, and others lined the sidelines. But there was Williams, acting differently.
During the anthem, he was captured on the ESPN broadcast walking along the Bears’ sideline, appearing restless, as if he had somewhere crucial to be.
In reality, he wasn’t headed anywhere special—he’s sidelined, recovering from a hamstring strain he sustained in the previous week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It’s a bit odd—here’s a player unable to join in the game due to injury, yet he’s up and about during such a significant moment.
This might be seen as a breach of decorum. The rules surrounding the national anthem are pretty clear, as per a formal code of conduct for the anthem available online. It states that everyone, except those in uniform, should stand at attention facing the flag, with a hand over the heart while the anthem plays.
This guideline has been in place since 1942, with an update in 1976 making it even more explicit about how to conduct oneself during the anthem. The requirement is straightforward: stand, face the flag, and place your right hand over your heart. Men should remove their hats and hold them over their hearts if they are wearing them. When the flag isn’t displayed, participants should still face the music and act accordingly.
Maybe Williams is unaware of this, considering a lot of that traditional knowledge seems to be slipping in today’s educational environment. At just 24, he represents a generation that might not grasp these customs fully.
Alternatively, it’s possible he simply doesn’t feel the need to conform to such traditions. Last season, he was seen chatting with a teammate during the anthem, showing a lack of concern for the moment.
This behavior has certainly ruffled some feathers. There’s been a fair bit of criticism on social media regarding his actions. On the other hand, some people might just shrug it off as a simple oversight, not being too invested in the matter.
For those who are less worried about this, their focus is likely on when Williams will be back on the field, rather than on his actions during the anthem. But it seems like they’ll have to be patient for a bit longer.
