Caleb Williams had a good reason for painting his nails ahead of the Chicago Bears’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Several media members noticed Williams’ eye-catching fingernail art as the Bears quarterback warmed up earlier in the day at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. The second-year QB had his nails painted to honor suicide prevention.
Williams had a tiny ribbon painted on the middle fingernail of his right hand, with his index and ring fingernails painted green and purple, respectively. A purple and green ribbon is the logo for Suicide Prevention Month, which is every September.
On his left hand, Williams had the numbers “988” on his middle three fingernails — the number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Caleb Williams has the suicide prevention logo and colors painted on his nails for Week 1.
He also has 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. pic.twitter.com/YBqYE7TScO
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 9, 2025
Quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before the Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field today.
One hand appears to have "988" painted on 3 nails, the other hand has a ribbon, purple & green on 3 nails https://t.co/L272b84bPz w/ @patrickfinley & @JasonLieser pic.twitter.com/Nek8MpOnUJ
— Ashlee Rezin (@Ashlee_Rezin) September 8, 2025
Williams knows how much attention his painted fingernails draw, particularly from those who want to ridicule him for having them done. He had a much simpler message painted on his nails during his Bears debut last season.
While Williams’ gesture was noble, it didn’t help him start the 2025 season with a victory. The Bears QB went 21/35 for 210 yards and a touchdown in a contest Chicago appeared destined to win. But JJ McCarthy stepped up in the fourth quarter to steal a win for the Vikings.