Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams‘ nails continue to be a topic of discussion among NFL fans. Williams started going viral for painting his nails on gameday during his time as a college football star at USC.
Williams’ nail designs have evolved from using curse words towards his opponents to simply having bright colors. Prior to the 2025 NFL season, Williams revealed that he paused painting his nails, at times, during his rookie year in 2024.
“It was hard to do,” Williams told ESPN’s Courtney Cronin during an August 28, 2025, feature titled, “Bears QB Caleb Williams has ‘unapologetic’ approach in Year 2.” “We were losing, and days were long trying to figure out how to get things back on track.
“I think also part of it was the rookie year. It got a little tiring at the end.”
The nail polish was not gone for good as Williams has been spotted keeping the tradition alive this season. After the Bears’ wild card win over the Green Back Packers, Williams posted photos from the game which appeared to show his nails with polish on them during the playoff clash.
If colorful nails lead to a trip to the Super Bowl, Bears fans are likely hoping the tradition continues long into February.
Lil Wayne Threw Shade at Caleb Williams for Painting His Nails After the Bears’ Win Over Packers in NFL Playoffs
Williams’ nails drew even more scrutiny in recent days as rapper Lil’ Wayne took a jab at the Bears quarterback after the Packers were eliminated in Chicago.
“We just loss a playoff game to a [expletive] w purple nails we [expletive] suk bear [expletive]!” Lil Wayne said in a viral January 10, message on X. “Bare [expletive]!!! We don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. Straight like that.”
Williams responded with a pair of emojis, and Lil Wayne has since apologized.
“Ay Caleb don’t mind me bruh I’m just a cheesehead 4life & u just a killa & ya kilt us bad each time & 4 dat u get da praise gesture from me! 🙌🏾” Lil Wayne noted in a January 14, post. “I luh da game & it’d b impossible 2make dat statement without acknowledging & admiring yo game king! U a beast but ya still a bear. 🧀”
Why Does Bears QB Caleb Williams Paint His Nails?
Williams previously revealed that painting his nails started during his senior year of high school. The star’s mom paints nails, and Williams gave it a try.
“It started, I would say, three years ago,” Williams noted during a 2023 interview with USC Athletics, per Yahoo Sports. “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.”
Williams indicated that painting his nails is a way for the quarterback to most feel like himself. The former No. 1 pick is okay with the backlash it creates.
“Part of it’s just me being myself and just [being] unapologetic about it,” Williams explained to Cronin. “And you know, I’m not going to apologize about it. I’m gonna be me.
“It doesn’t bother me what people have to say about me because I know what I am. I know who I am and what I like to do.”
Caleb Williams Feels Conflicted About Painting Nails as Bears Quarterback