Athlete and Activist Caleb Williams…What’s Next?

Caleb Williams continues to prove he is a force to be reckoned with. Last year, the USC quarterback (QB) contributed a whopping 4,537 yards, while demonstrating that he can hold his own on the field. Lately, though, Williams has been busy with his off-field activities, proving he has the personality to match his athleticism. 

The 21-year-old has accomplished an impressive amount of activism-related events within the past two years. Williams created the Caleb Cares Foundation in 2021, which is dedicated to anti-bullying, youth empowerment, and mental health awareness. The USC Trojan is committed to helping kids see the positive aspects of being different. 

“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, the 2022 Heisman Trophy recipient says on the official Caleb Cares website. Greatness is formed in our differences. What makes you different today will propel you tomorrow.”

Williams teams with Seize the Awkward

One of his most recent steps with the Caleb Cares Foundation was teaming up with the Seize the Awkward campaign. The project is a collaboration by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Ad Council, the Jed Foundation, and Caleb Cares.

Seize the Awkward launched in January 2018 with a unique mission. Its founders’ goals are to empower young adults to be comfortable talking about mental health problems such as suicide. This is accomplished by providing adolescents with resources like conversation tips, self-care strategies, and tools to instill confidence, which significantly decreases the chances of suicide.

National Suicide Prevention Month begins in September. As the school year starts again, it is essential that students have the resources needed to check in with peers. However, it’s also important individuals have the right support for themselves to succeed.

In an effort to provide more awareness for suicide prevention, Williams painted his nails with the number for suicide prevention in 2021.

Seize the Awkward teamed up with students from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Together, the two groups created a public service announcement (PSA) starring Williams that took place on September 6, 2022. The event also included a panel discussion featuring Williams, according to USC Annenberg.

A different side of Williams

“When the stadium lights are dimmed, when the cameras stop flashing, when the pads are off, the pressure sinks in and it’s just me. Just me in a world of expectation,” said USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams in the campaign. “No one can carry that alone. Pressure doesn’t have to be carried alone.”

The video begins with several screenshots of Williams’ news headlines. This is to try and emulate how the QB was feeling at the time his career was starting. He describes his experience as a first-year student at Oklahoma. A heavy course load, plus sitting out the first half of his season left the 19-year-old feeling extremely overwhelmed.

He recounts stopping his use of social media after becoming a meme on several occasions. Instead of focusing on media, Williams decided to turn to his family, mentors, and teammates to help him feel supported.

A down to earth dude

“Working with fellow USC students and the Seize the Awkward team on this PSA allowed me to share how important mental health awareness is in my life, especially through my experiences as a student-athlete,” said Williams. “I hope everyone sees the importance of supporting your friends and what a huge difference that can make in someone’s life.”

Overall, Williams is more than just your typical star athlete. Although he is a front-runner for the 2024 Draft, he clearly supports the underdogs. Activities that don’t garner a lot of attention typically don’t interest college athletes. Other students partake in projects that only compensate them in some form or another. Above all, Williams is a standout in this area and is proving to be what NFL coaches seek out in their players.

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.