Caleb Williams explains being emotional after Washington loss
On the football field, USC quarterback Caleb Williams is one of the most undeniable quarterback prospects in recent history. Flashing the potential to one of the league’s top quarterbacks throughout his impressive college career.
But off the field, some evaluators have their hang-ups on Williams. Highlighted by a viral emotional moment seen last season following the Trojans loss to Washington when Williams was seen crying in his mother’s arms in the stands.
Williams recently joined Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor on The Pivot Podcast ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Opening up about the viral moment and the blowback he received following it.
“Since I was four when I lost I cried, and so it didn’t bother me. But the fallout, I don’t know, it struck gold I guess for people,” Williams said. “One thing about me is my guys know I care, so that’s one. And the second part of that was that one looked so much more than the other ones — because I’ve been on the internet before with Jordan crying emojis right next to my picture and stuff like that. I’ve got some funny memes, I do, my homeboy behind the set send me all of them.”
It’s clear Williams has come to terms with his emotions, in tune with the way losing makes him feel and willing to have a good laugh about the social media reaction to it all. But he also explained why the Trojans’ loss to the Huskies in November stung more than the rest.
“That one hit home for me because I understood that it was getting to the end point of the year, I wasn’t able to reach a championship, and one of my last games. And so that’s why that one hit so heavy and why it looked so exaggerated and things like that because it hit me really hard right after the game,” Williams explained. “Because I understood my college career and my guys that I’ve been with for three years, two years is coming to an end for me and going 6-3 at that time you understand that’s there’s no national championship.”
Williams also explained the impact his mother had at that moment, feeling all was good until he made contact with a person who suddenly moved his emotions and felt he could be vulnerable with. Making it clear that only a few things can get a reaction like that out of him.
“Like I said, my guys know I care and winning is the most important thing to me. I appreciate all the awards, but I will say this about the awards, none of y’all saw me cry when I got the awards.”
The next No. 1 overall pick also used his polarizing, viral moment to speak about mental health and the authenticity of expressing emotion. But also learned from the situation as he heads into his next chapter as a franchise quarterback at the highest level.
“But there is a time and a place for it and understanding — I mean it’s raw emotion, it comes out right then and there. But being able to control that, hold it in maybe until you get home, whatever the case may be. It affects me, it bothers me tremendously and that’s what wakes you up every day, gets you up every day, gets me up every day,” Williams concluded.