Confidence Above All Else: Why Caleb Williams and Jared McCain are the Peak of Masculinity
In a world full of toxic masculinity, stars such as Williams and McCain shine
Throughout recent history, beauty products such as nail polish and lip gloss are seen as feminine. While that doesn’t mean only women are allowed to wear them, men who do are in the minority, as it as seen as ‘gay’ or ‘weird’ if they choose to do so. In the sporting world, however, with leagues such as the NFL and NBA being seen as ‘peak masculinity’ in terms of the superstars we see come from it, it’s no wonder why men don’t feel comfortable donning polished nails or long skirts. Of course, there are exceptions to this, including recent 2024 draftees Caleb Williams and Jared McCain.
Williams was selected first in the 2024 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, who ended their 2023 season with a 7-10 record. Having swapped picks with the Carolina Panthers the year prior, Williams was seen as a consensus first pick by mock drafts and experts alike. Everything worked out as expected, and Williams was the man with the honor of being a first overall pick.
A widely discussed topic surrounding Williams was his masculinity, seen from his time in college as a USC Trojan. There was the time he cried while being held by his mother after the Trojans lost to the Washington Huskies, or the time he modeled a dress in a GQ photoshoot. The most prominent discussion point, however, is his nails, which he has painted with many different slogans and colors during his time as a college student. From the ‘Fuck Utah’ nails he boasted against his opponents, to the smiley faces and sparkles for a more inoffensive look, every style and design has been criticized by those who deem him ‘not tough enough’ to play the game.
One thing people may not know about Williams, however, is his foundation, Caleb Cares. It aims to promote anti-bullying and improve mental health for children around the world. While the crying to his mother may be seen as childish to some, if anything, it highlights the importance of letting your emotions show. And, if my personal opinion matters, shows that an athlete is dedicated to the game they’ve played nearly their entire life.
Williams has stated he paints his nails because his mother has been a nail technician for his entire life, and decided to begin painting them during his senior year of high school due to being around the nail world for so long. It came as second nature to him, and he has said he likes deviating from the norm and standing out among the crowd. A simple gesture that pays homage to someone very close, though seems to get under most people’s skin.
The hatred is not just an NFL issue either, as 2024 NBA draftee Jared McCain has faced the same backlash. Chosen 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, he was well known for his time spent as a Duke University Blue Devil, becoming a star at the college due to his elite play and positive personality. Almost never seen without a beaming smile on his face, it is difficult to understand how someone like McCain could become such a controversial figure.
McCain’s choice for painting his nails came as a result of the COVID-19 quarantine. Out of boredom, he decided on a whim to add color to them, and it has stuck to this day. He has also stated that it helps him to not bite them, and is sort of a ‘lucky charm’ to help him play to the best of his ability. Similar to Williams, he has always embraced the idea of being yourself and staying true to who you are, which is a concept many of his critics fail to understand.
The way this ties into being ‘the peak of masculinity’ comes in the form of one word; confidence. These two young men are confident in their self expression, presenting themselves in a way that exudes the word while clapping back at haters in the same breath. Both have expressed it is their choice to wear their nails the way they please, and if anything, people should respect their decision. Though we may not all be in agreement of what they do, keeping the hatred to yourself costs nothing at all. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from Caleb Williams and Jared McCain about progression, care and acceptance. The world certainly needs more of it nowadays.