Caleb Williams: QB or Superhero?

First Round Mock’s Victoria Jonach takes another look at what the very busy USC quarterback (QB) Caleb Williams has been up to lately.

Caleb Williams’ success continues as he makes moves in his activities off of the football field. Lately, Williams is building his career not only as an athlete, but also as an activist and a role model. 

Last year, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner created his own personal foundation dedicated to giving back.

What is Caleb Cares?

The official website for the Caleb Cares Foundation shares the QB’s backstory and mission.

“From a young age Caleb fell in love with Superman. He believed he could do whatever Superman did and that belief is still alive today. Caleb believes deeply in helping the underdog,” the website reads. “As the founder of Caleb Cares, Caleb will dedicate his time and resources to eliminating bullying and empowering the underdog.”

The foundation has three main focuses: anti-bullying, youth empowerment, and mental health awareness.

His first event with the Foundation included a tour of USC’s athletic buildings. Students of Audubon Middle School in Los Angeles, California met with Williams to listen to the athlete’s advice regarding bullying. 

He described his experience with bullies, including trivial matters like painting his nails when he was younger. He also mentioned more significant instances, such as his move from Oklahoma to USC. The 21-year-old shared that he still receives hate via social media and mail for his decision to move.

Williams shared that he wants to invite the Audubon kids to USC practices and games, according to The Orange County Register.

”I created Caleb Cares Foundation for those kids who are suffering because they don’t fit in. Fitting in means you’re not standing out. Greatness is formed in our differences. What makes you different today will propel you tomorrow,” Williams says on his personal site.

What else has the Foundation accomplished?

To celebrate National Bullying Month, Williams teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles. In October of 2022, the QB held an anti-bullying event at the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation gym. 

Williams shared that he was once in the Boys & Girls Club and being able to give back is an “awesome” experience. He fired up the kids by creating skits and posters to fight back against bullies.

Last month, the Foundation held the Caleb Cares Foundation Heisman Celebration at the athlete’s former high school, Gonzaga College High School. His alma mater celebrated the east coast launch of his charity group with several auctions and all proceeds benefiting the organization.

Just one month before this celebration, Williams found a stylish way to promote Caleb Cares. The USC Trojan advertised a key part of the Foundation on his cleats, which read “Stop Bullying” on one shoe. The other featured the logo of his personal organization.

A Superhero on and off the field

To add to the superhero’s resume, Williams didn’t spend last year’s bye week sitting around. Instead, he teamed up with the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club to host yet another event. This event is where he handed out the organization’s first Caleb Cares Hero Award to a 4th grader with a will to end bullying.

With his athletic skills, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) work, and charity efforts, Williams should have no trouble taking his talents from USC to the NFL in the 2024 Draft.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated in what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.