Caleb Williams’ father shares a heartwarming story highlighting his son’s early dedication, passion, and love for football.

From backyard scrimmages to the bright lights of the NFL, Caleb Williams’ football journey has been nothing short of remarkable. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and the new face of the Chicago Bears, Williams’ talent is obvious—but behind that talent lies years of tireless work, personal sacrifice, and unwavering passion. According to his father, Carl Williams, Caleb’s journey began long before the spotlight ever found him.

In a candid and heartfelt interview, Carl shared the story of Caleb’s early years in football, painting a picture not just of an athlete—but of a young boy with a dream and the drive to chase it with everything he had.

A Morning Routine Beyond His Years

“We used to joke that Caleb had more discipline at ten years old than most adults,” Carl laughed. “But it wasn’t a joke to him. It was who he was.”

One morning, when Caleb was just nine years old, Carl recalls waking up before dawn to prepare for work. What he saw out the window took him by surprise: Caleb was already outside, in full football gear, running drills in the cold morning mist. The sun hadn’t even risen.

“He was out there in the front yard—alone—doing footwork drills, throwing the ball against the wall, sprinting between cones we had set up the day before,” Carl remembered. “No one told him to do it. No coach, no trainer, not even me. He just wanted to get better.”

It wasn’t a one-off occurrence either. Carl says these solo morning sessions became routine. While other kids his age were sleeping in or glued to video games, Caleb was building the foundation for what would become a meteoric football career.

Passion Over Pressure

There’s a common perception that successful athletes are pushed relentlessly by demanding parents. But Carl is quick to correct that narrative when it comes to Caleb.

“I never forced football on him. I introduced him to the game, sure—but he chose it. He owned it,” he said. “That’s the difference. His love for the game wasn’t about me or expectations. It was something burning inside him.”

Carl, a former athlete himself, recognized early on that Caleb was different. Not just in ability, but in mindset. He had an emotional connection to football that was rare, even among gifted young players.

“He wasn’t the biggest kid. He wasn’t the fastest early on. But he was always the hardest worker. And he hated losing—not in a spoiled way, but in a deeply competitive way.”

That innate competitiveness and self-discipline, combined with a pure love for the game, drove Caleb to spend hours watching film of NFL quarterbacks, mimicking their throws, and learning how to read defenses before most kids knew how to run a slant route.

The Backyard Became a Battlefield

Carl also shared how their backyard transformed into Caleb’s personal training ground.

“We didn’t have a fancy field or some elite setup,” Carl said. “We had grass, a few cones, and an old net. But to Caleb, it was everything.”

He remembered one summer afternoon when Caleb spent six straight hours in the backyard—alternating between throwing drills, footwork, and agility exercises.

“I asked him if he wanted to take a break. He looked at me and said, ‘Dad, I have to outwork everyone. That’s how I’ll win.’ I knew then that he was chasing more than trophies—he was chasing greatness.”

Early Signs of Leadership

Long before he became the leader of the USC Trojans and later the Chicago Bears, Caleb was commanding huddles on the youth football field.

Carl recounted a story from a championship game when Caleb was 11. His team was down by a touchdown with less than a minute left. During the timeout, instead of panicking, Caleb rallied his teammates with calm and clarity far beyond his years.

“He looked those kids in the eye and said, ‘We’re going to win this. Trust me.’ And they did,” Carl recalled. “He marched them down the field and threw the game-winning touchdown with seconds left. After the game, even the opposing coach told me, ‘That kid’s going places.’”

Lessons Beyond Football

While football was a major part of their household, Carl made sure Caleb’s identity didn’t become one-dimensional.

“I told him from the start: You’re not just a quarterback. You’re a son, a student, a friend. Be great in everything you do.”

That message stuck. Caleb excelled academically and was known for his respectful attitude and maturity off the field. Even now, as he navigates the intense spotlight of the NFL, he carries that balanced mindset.

“He handles pressure because he’s never just defined himself by the game. He loves it—but it doesn’t control him,” Carl said. “That’s what keeps him grounded.”

The Road to the NFL

Caleb’s rise from high school stardom at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., to college success at Oklahoma and USC was the result of years of meticulous preparation. But Carl believes those pre-dawn workouts and backyard drills were just as crucial as any game-winning throw.

“People see the highlights. They see the draft day suit and the big contract,” Carl said. “But they don’t see the mornings in the cold, the sweat, the discipline, the tears after a bad game. That’s the real journey. That’s what made him.”

As Caleb prepares to lead the Chicago Bears, there’s a sense of destiny—but also humility.

“He knows he hasn’t ‘made it.’ He knows the work is just beginning. But I’ll tell you this—he’s still waking up before sunrise.”

A Father’s Pride

As Carl watches his son now lead an NFL franchise, the emotions are still raw.

“It’s surreal. To see him walk into that facility, wearing that Bears jersey—it’s overwhelming sometimes. But I’m most proud of the man he’s become. The values, the work ethic, the love he puts into everything he does.”

He smiles, remembering that little boy in the front yard, determined to throw one more perfect spiral.

“It started with a ball and a dream. Now the world’s watching. But to me, he’ll always be that kid chasing greatness before the sun came up.”

Caleb Williams’ ascent to NFL stardom is not just the tale of a gifted quarterback—it’s the story of what happens when passion, discipline, and family support come together. Through his father’s eyes, we see a deeper layer of Caleb’s identity: a relentless dreamer, a leader by example, and a young man who has spent his life preparing for the moment he now lives in.

And if you ask Carl, the best is still to come.