Every Legend Has An Origin Story. You’ll Never Believe Caleb Williams’
For Batman, it was witnessing his parents’ death in a dark alley. For Spiderman, it was getting bitten by a radioactive spider. Superman was sent to Earth by a dying alien civilization. Captain America took an experimental formula to remake his polio-ravaged body so he could fight in World War II. Part of what makes great heroes and legends is the origin story. It helps to illustrate where things began and what grew from that experience. Caleb Williams is no exception. His journey to becoming the #1 pick in the NFL draft for the Chicago Bears was anything but ordinary.
It arrived during his sophomore year of high school. Gonzaga, his school, had lost the final week of the regular season to St. Johns, their eternal rival. Sure enough, a rematch would follow in the first round of the playoffs. Gonzaga coaches had a plan, but it would require a sacrifice. Williams would have to run the ball a lot, putting his body through some pain. He didn’t even flinch. The quarterback posted 85 yards on 23 carries, along with 134 yards passing. His team stunned St. Johns 24-14, advancing to the WCAC championship game.
Yet the madness was only beginning.
Adam Jahns of The Athletic helped illustrate what happened in the championship game against DeMatha Catholic. It was a moment where everybody knew Williams was special.
In one of the wildest endings ever for a high school football game, Williams threw a winning Hail Mary pass to Marshall after time expired to give Gonzaga a 46-43 victory over DeMatha Catholic in the WCAC championship.
“It was a perfect pass,” Marshall said.
But a third-and-33 before it needs to be discussed more. For those who played and coached at Gonzaga, it’s just as memorable. Williams converted it on Gonzaga’s previous possession during what probably should have been a game-winning drive.
On second down, Williams was sacked trying to make a play — and he was down. He was in serious, awful pain.
“You see him laying on the ground, “Schaechter said, “and I’m on the headset, ‘Dude, you gotta get up. Get up, get up. If you stay down, they’re gonna pull you out.’”
“He gets up limping,” Sweeney added.
They didn’t know it at the time, but Williams had a broken foot. But there was a game to win, a legacy to make.
Gonzaga scored following that ridiculous conversion. The celebration was short-lived, though. On the next play, DeMatha scored a stunning kickoff return for a touchdown. Everybody on the sideline was dejected. Everybody except Williams. He knew 15 seconds were left. It wasn’t over yet.
“A lot of the seniors are upset on the sideline, myself included,” Marshall said. “He’s coming up to us. And he’s like, ‘We still have time left. … Keep your head up. … This is not how we’re gonna go out. … We got a chance. … We practiced this.’”
Gonzaga got the ball at their 49-yard line with four seconds left.
After buying as much time as possible to let his receivers get to the end zone, Williams uncorked a 51-yard bomb that was caught (in the back of the end zone) for the winning score. It was Gonzaga’s first championship in 16 years.
Caleb Williams plays hero ball because he can.
He’s done it throughout his life. To win a championship game in the final second on a broken foot? That is the sort of story they make movies about. That is the kind of player the Bears just added to their roster. Ignore the noise about his clothing choices, the fingernail painting, or his business ambitions. None of that matters. Focus on the football. Don’t be fooled. Williams is tough, both mentally and physically. Most quarterbacks would crumble in those situations. His competitive spirit convinced him the game wasn’t over. Then, his talent and preparation made it come true.
That same wizardry would carry him through three years of college football, from the epic comeback over Texas to the big upset over Notre Dame and his gritty performances against Washington and Oregon last year. Caleb Williams is a fighter, in both victory and defeat. That is what the Bears need. They need somebody who refuses to accept the game is over until the final whistle. If he’s that same kid from high school, things are about to get really exciting around this city.