When Caleb Williams had his USC jersey retired last Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, he arranged to share the experience with kids from a Boys & Girls Club in California.
The children started the day by visiting a tech center where they engaged in hands-on activities that blended innovation with sports. The group then headed to the Coliseum, where they met up with Williams and enjoyed VIP field access during pregame warmups.
During the jersey retirement ceremony, the kids stood behind Williams as he addressed the crowd before they sprinted onto the field with the USC football team. Williams and his Caleb Cares non-profit organization covered all costs for the transportation, tickets, means and t-shirts for the group.
The Bears quarterback was recognized for the generous gesture a few days later when he was named Week 14 NFL Players Association Community MVP.
"I'm beyond grateful for the chance to use my platform to inspire the next generation," Williams said. "We had an awesome day with the kids from the LA Boys and Girls Club, showing them that big dreams are totally within reach. Huge shoutout to the NFLPA for spotlighting the incredible ways NFL players, like me, are making a positive impact in our communities."
Williams founded Caleb Cares to create meaningful opportunities for youth through education, mentorship and empowerment. This year, he has committed to bringing more than 60 kids to each Bears home game with most of the children and teens coming from Chicago's South Side. His foundation provides transportation, a boxed lunch and a Williams jersey to each child that attends a game.
The nonprofit also celebrates students who exemplify kindness and respect through the Caleb Cares Hero Award. Designed to combat bullying, this initiative has made a meaningful impact, with award ceremonies now held in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Recipients of the Hero Award are honored with a custom backpack, an iPad Pro and other prizes, encouraging a culture of empathy and respect among young people.
In recognition of Williams being named the NFLPA Community MVP for Week 14, the NFLPA will donate $10,000 to his foundation or charity of choice. In turn, he will visit a local school, children's hospital or community center. Along with the other 2024-25 Community MVPs, he will also be eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, which is the NFLPA's highest player honor and includes an additional $100,000 donation.
The Community MVP campaign is part of the NFLPA's continued efforts to support the year-round civic outreach and engagement of its player members.
