For Caleb Williams, painting his nails for EA Sports’ Madden NFL 27 cover was a no-brainer. The Chicago Bears quarterback didn’t hold back for the special occasion. With his arms crossed over his chest and hands facing front, Williams wears an intricate set by nail artist Jeimy Lemus that pays homage to his city, team, and sport.
It’s the first time an NFL player has had painted nails on the video game’s cover. But colorful manicures have long been part of Williams’s personal style, and he’s inspired fans to follow suit, so the photo shoot was the perfect opportunity to showcase his signature look. “It’s a celebration of what I started,” Williams tells Teen Vogue over a Zoom call days before the cover reveal.
Like many aspiring players and football fans, a Madden NFL cover is a rite of passage for Williams. He recalls receiving the annual editions of the video game as birthday and Christmas gifts, dreaming of making it to the major league one day. “It’s a childhood dream to be in this position,” he says. “I can only be grateful for this moment and this opportunity. It took a lot of energy, effort, dreaming, and aspiring to be in this position. Hopefully, we can run it back at some point.”
Ahead of the Madden NFL 27 drop on Wednesday, June 3, Teen Vogue chatted with Williams about gracing the cover, staying true to his personal style, and defying stigmas in sports.
Caleb Williams: I’m really excited about this moment, not only for myself but for my teammates and for the Bears. A couple of weeks ago, one of my good friends, Cole Bennett, told me that I was the first Bears player to grace the cover of a Madden game [in English]. That made it even more special for me.
CW: I can’t say it’s pressure. It’s more work to get to this point, and then it finally happens. For me, negativity and small victories fuel me. That’s how I go about things and how I keep myself motivated. This is another dream on my checklist that’s been officially checked off.
We want to have another great season and only get better to possibly put ourselves in this position again. But pressure isn’t how I think or feel about it. I’m always grateful, and I understand that the energy and work that I’ve put in to be in this position is working out. It’s another way to remind myself to keep going.
CW: It is. I haven’t played it much since I’ve gotten older. But when I was a kid, it was the biggest thing. I played the disc version mainly, and then at a certain point, it turned into digital on my phone. During Christmas, and since my birthday is around the holiday season, it was my present, since it’s football-related.
Now, I’m obviously going to play it again, especially since I’m on the cover. I’ll get a few hard copies to look at myself. [Laughs.] I’m also excited to see clips of my team and me. I’m feeling extremely blessed.
CW: I had a Chicago flag. I had the Chicago Bears's “C.” In respect to the legend John Madden in EA Sports and as a coach, I had him painted on my nails. I had the NFL shield, the best organization and one of the most historic organizations.
I’ve been painting my nails for about six years now. It’s been a part of my career because I’ve always wanted to be true to myself. It was only right to do the shoot with my nails painted. It’s going to be online, in hard copy, in digital—right up in your face.
CW: A couple of nights ago, when the [San Antonio] Spurs [made it to the NBA Finals], [Victor Wembanyama] was talking about being unapologetic about his emotions toward something that he loves so much, this thing that is bigger than himself. He’s put so much time, energy, and effort into reaching this point and being where he is.
It’s the same mindset I have. I care about myself so much in that way—mentally, physically, and spiritually—so I can be in the best position and be the best version of myself. That’s what being unapologetic means to me, and sometimes it means doing some things that others don’t. I may enjoy some things that people haven’t seen in the sport or even in their lifetime. So many people grow up differently. But it’s not a heavy weight to carry when you’re true to yourself. I stick to that all the time, and it’s worked out for me so far.
CW: I’m really confident in who I am and what I do, what I like, and what I don’t like. That’s a big part of it. Also, I have two great support systems: my family and friends, and the Bears. The only people I may mind are the people who care and respect me through the good and tough times. We’re doing pretty well over here through it all.
