Top NFL Draft Pick Caleb Williams Hits Back After He’s Mocked for Pink Nail Polish and Lip Gloss

The Heisman Trophy winner has long painted his nails, which is in part a tribute to his mom, a former nail technician

Caleb Williams Claps Back About NCAA Appearance
Caleb Williams. Photo:

NCAA March Madness/X

  • Caleb Williams is speaking out after his pink nails, lip gloss and phone went viral earlier this week
  • The Heisman Trophy winner's look at the USC-Kansas women's NCAA Tournament game drew widespread attention
  • Williams appeared in a video on X Thursday and had fun with the naysayers

Caleb Williams is clapping back!

While supporting his fellow USC athletes and their postseason run in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, the Heisman Trophy winner drew attention for, literally, his appearance.

Cameras caught Williams, 22, smiling and dancing in his seat to Earth, Wind & Fire, while moving his hands back and forth. His fingernails painted pink, the presumed No. 1 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft held a white Goyard wallet and a pink phone.

It was enough for the Internet to have a field day — and prompted the quarterback to audibly call out any haters in a video posted to X Thursday.

“It’s been a long week for you,” Gavin Morris, USC’s assistant athletic director joked to Williams in the clip.

“Let’s see what that phone look like, what the phone look like?” Morris asked.

“The wallet’s white,” the football star said, holding it up for the camera. “The phone is pink, the case is clear.”

Holding up his hands, he added: “Nails are clear.”

Williams then leaned into the camera and offered a clear rebuttal to those who call into question the quarterback’s style.

“Lips are pink — your girl love ‘em!” he mic-dropped, as Morris roared in laughter.

Over the years, Williams has cut an untraditional figure off the field.

The Washington, D.C. native told PEOPLE last August that wearing nail polish just happens to be part of his game.

“I think the nails thing kind of took everybody by surprise,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “I've been doing it before college, but it took everybody by surprise, just because you don't always see male athletes who play football paint their nails. But I think it's just another way of expression.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Williams also nailed it while starring in Dr Pepper’s Fansville campaign last season, where he got a maroon and white “I Heart Dr Pepper” manicure as mom Dayna Price — a former nail technician who used to paint Caleb's nails — looked on proudly.

Related Articles