Caleb Williams isn’t worried about what anyone thinks of his now-viral video.
The USC quarterback and presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams, was caught on camera crying in his mother’s arms after a 52-42 loss to Washington last week.
The scene has garnered a lot of attention with reactions varying — but none of them will sway how Williams carries himself.
“Being an advocate for mental health and trying to show your emotions and express yourself — it’s something that I’ve been doing since I was young,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
“Now being on the national level, being able to try and share that awareness with the public and me doing just what I did on Saturday, even though it was far from what I was trying to do, it showed and spread that awareness.”
Williams appeared to get some support from the likes of ex-NFL star Rob Gronkowski this week, who seemed to understand where the quarterback was coming from with the display.
“I was like, ‘That’s a little bit too much, like why is he crying?’” Gronkowkski said on the “Up and Adams Show” on Thursday. “But at the same time I’m like, ‘Maybe he’s a mama’s boy,’ and there’s nothing wrong with loving your momma.”
The loss to the Huskies dropped the Trojans to 7-3 on the seasons and seemingly took a toll on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
“I want to go home and cuddle with my dog and watch some shows,” Williams said when asked about his emotional state following the game. “I don’t know. Like, we lost the game. Something you work hard for throughout months, years to have big games like this, try and go win and play your best, each and every one of us.
“We came out with a loss today, so emotionally I want to go home and I want to lay with my dog.”
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