X

CFB

Video: Bears' Caleb Williams Has No. 13 USC Jersey Retired During Halftime of ND Game

Taylyn HadleyNovember 30, 2024

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: The retired jersey numbers of Southern California Trojans Heisman Trophy winners at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum peristyle on November 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. From left: Mike Garrett (20), O.J. Simpson (32), Charles White (12), Marcus Allen (33), Carson Palmer (3), Matt Leinart (11), Reggie Bush (5) and Caleb Williams (13). (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Kirby Lee/Getty Images

The USC Trojans retired current Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' number on Saturday during halftime of their game against Notre Dame.

Big Ten Network @BigTenNetwork

HE13MAN IS HOME 🏠 <br><br>The Trojans retire Caleb Williams No. 13 ✌️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1GFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B1GFootball</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/USC_Athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USC_Athletics</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChicagoBears</a> <a href="https://t.co/trJglMtQ05">pic.twitter.com/trJglMtQ05</a>

Williams spent his final two college seasons with USC after transferring from Oklahoma.

With the Trojans, he won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, posting a 66.6 percent completion rate and a career-high 42 touchdown passes.

The 23-year-old stood alongside his family, including his parents Dayna Price and Carl Williams, as his No. 13 jersey was unveiled in the stands of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Jimbo @james_sweener

caleb williams #13 forever immortalized at usc alongside his parents Dayna Price &amp; Carl Williams. congrats rookie! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DaBears?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DaBears</a> <a href="https://t.co/nxR6GaWmzw">pic.twitter.com/nxR6GaWmzw</a>

In his final season with the Trojans, Williams threw for 3,633 yards with a completion percentage of 68.6 with 30 touchdowns.

Williams and USC head coach Lincoln Riley have remained close since his departure last season.

CHGO Bears @CHGO_Bears

A tribute to Caleb Williams from USC. 🫡<a href="https://t.co/cvxCVbbj3u">pic.twitter.com/cvxCVbbj3u</a>

Ahead of the Bears' Sunday game against the Green Bay Packers during Week 11, Riley called Williams to offer some advice.

Video: Bears' Caleb Williams Has No. 13 USC Jersey Retired During Halftime of ND Game
Video Play Button
✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon

"Lincoln Riley called me the other day, and just wanted to talk to me," Williams said, according to Sports Illustrated's Charlie Viehl. "Check in, things like that. It's something that he told me my freshman year, when I wasn't in a position that I wanted to be in. I wasn't starting at the time, and he told me to 'keep going.' At that time, I didn't necessarily know what those two words meant. I wanted more than that. I wanted to hear a little more than that, but that's all he told me. I use those words to this day."

Williams' Bears teammate and former Notre Dame player Cole Kmet joined him in the celebration on Saturday.

Chicago Bears Updates @chbearsupdates

🟠🔵 | Bears QB Caleb Williams and TE Cole Kmet at the USC vs. Notre Dame game: <a href="https://t.co/3r8JGxSfRa">pic.twitter.com/3r8JGxSfRa</a>

Williams was drafted by the Bears as the No. 1 overall pick out of USC this season and has thrown for 2,612 yards and 14 touchdowns during the Bears' 4-8 campaign.

Chicago will play its first game since firing head coach Matt Eberflus when it takes on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14.

B/R Recommends