Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears’ first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, has people talking about more than just his quarterback skills. His playing style reminds many of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. What’s really got people buzzing are his personal style choices – painted nails and a bold red dress in his GQ photoshoot.

Questions about Williams’ sexuality have spread online, but the truth is straightforward. The 6’1″ quarterback from Washington, DC dates women exclusively and has a girlfriend, Alina Thyregod. Those painted nails? They’re actually a tribute to his mother’s work as a nail technician. His fashion choices simply show his confidence to express himself in a league known for its conservative outlook.

This piece looks at how Williams’ bold style choices are changing the conversation about masculinity in the NFL. The league has seen just one openly gay player – Carl Nassib. Williams’ personal expression speaks volumes about football’s evolving culture today.

Caleb Williams’ Style: A Personal Statement

Caleb Williams breaks away from the typical NFL quarterback mold with a style that shows his confidence and unique personality. His painted nails have become his trademark, but the story runs deeper than mere fashion. Williams paints his nails to honor his mother’s work as a nail technician—turning what some see as feminine into a meaningful family tradition.

Social media buzzes with questions like “Is Caleb Williams gay?” These reactions say more about society’s preconceptions than Williams himself. His fashion choices, including his talked-about GQ photoshoot, show his willingness to challenge norms rather than make statements about sexuality. Williams speaks confidently about his style: “I’m comfortable in my own skin.” This self-assurance extends beyond his performance on the field.

Williams’ confidence lets him dress how he wants without worrying about gender norms. His painted nails first appeared in high school and stayed with him through college and into the NFL. They’re now as much a part of his identity as his scrambling skills or throwing technique.

Critics often miss the point. Williams shows up at events with his girlfriend Alina Thyregod, which highlights how personal style has nothing to do with sexuality. He represents a new generation of athletes who see style as an extension of personality rather than sexual orientation.

This young quarterback makes authentic choices rather than political statements. Athletes today use their platform to express themselves more freely. Williams stands out by staying true to himself and refusing to fit into old-fashioned expectations, whatever others might assume about him.

Breaking Stereotypes in a Traditional League

The NFL has always been a stronghold of traditional masculinity. The league scouts, develops, and rewards men with specific traits: big, strong, tough, and aggressive. So, this environment has created what many experts call “toxic masculinity,” a culture where players see vulnerability as weakness and suppress emotional expression.

“Football clubs have traditionally been incredibly masculine environments and, let’s be honest, breeding grounds for toxic masculinity,” notes one sports researcher. This mindset goes beyond the field and shapes how players must present themselves in public.

In spite of that, Williams represents a new generation that challenges these decades-old norms. “Williams doesn’t fit the hypermasculine mold he is supposed to fit as a Black man and generational quarterback prospect,” according to media analysis. His painted nails and fashion choices directly challenge a system where “most boys are socialized to believe that to grow up to become a man, you’ve got to distance yourself as far as possible from the feminine”.

Williams wasn’t the first player who challenged NFL’s strict rules about self-expression. DeAngelo Williams asked permission to wear pink accessories throughout the year in 2015 to honor his mother’s memory who died of breast cancer. The NFL rejected his request, citing uniform policies. “It’s not just about October for me; it’s not just a month, it’s a lifestyle,” Williams explained.

The league’s response to players’ individual expression reveals its true priorities. Scott Van Pelt, a sports commentator, pointed out, “It is quite a trick to wrap yourself in a pink ribbon for a month under the guise of raising awareness, then tell a man who is all too aware of what breast cancer can do that he can’t wear the color all year”.

Williams now stands at the vanguard of an evolving NFL culture. Colin Cowherd observed that “95 percent of fans and zero percent of NFL general managers don’t care about how Williams portrays himself”. His presence signals a changing landscape where America’s most traditionally masculine sport might finally embrace personal expression.

What His Dating History Tells Us

Caleb Williams’ painted nails and fashion choices spark speculation, but his dating history paints a clear picture of his personal life. People on social media often ask “Is Caleb Williams gay?” because of his unique style, but his romantic relationships tell us something different.

Williams and Alina Thyregod have been together since late 2023. The couple celebrated their first year together in October 2024. Williams posted several photos on his Instagram Stories saying, “Been a good year with this one”. They kept their relationship quiet at first but stepped out together at the 2024 NFL Draft. Both wore custom outfits – Williams chose a navy suit and Thyregod stunned in a silver flowy dress.

His previous relationship was with Valery Orellana, which started during their high school years. They made it Instagram official in October 2020 with prom photos. They managed to keep their relationship strong even though they went to different schools – Williams at Gonzaga College High School and Orellana at Richard Montgomery High School. Orellana showed her support by attending both Oklahoma and USC football games.

Williams started dating Thyregod around late 2023. He opened up about their history on The Pivot Podcast in April 2024: “I met her at the end of her tenure. We dated a little bit. Then we ended it, kept in strong communication throughout four years. We’re back dating again”.

Williams balances his private life with public appearances well. His dating history answers questions about his sexuality clearly – as one source notes, “even though he hasn’t publicly spoken about his sexuality, he has only dated women in the past”.

Williams seems comfortable with both his personal style and romantic choices. He’s just a young man finding his way under the spotlight.

Conclusion

Caleb Williams proves that personal style has no connection to sexual orientation. He confidently breaks NFL stereotypes through his painted nails and fashion choices while his romantic history with women speaks for itself.

His NFL presence symbolizes more than just football – it shows a fundamental change in how professional sports view individual expression. His relationship with Alina Thyregod and past dating history answer questions about his orientation naturally. Yet these facts highlight his courage to challenge outdated views of masculinity even more.

Williams demonstrates that real strength comes from authenticity rather than following preset molds. His confident self-expression and exceptional quarterback skills help build an inclusive NFL culture. Players can now embrace their unique identities without facing judgment or labels.

FAQs

Q1. Why does Caleb Williams paint his nails? Caleb Williams paints his nails as a tribute to his mother, who works as a nail technician. It’s a personal tradition that honors his family connection rather than a fashion statement.

Q2. Is Caleb Williams in a relationship? Yes, Caleb Williams is currently in a relationship with Alina Thyregod. They began dating in late 2023 and made their first public appearance together at the 2024 NFL Draft.

Q3. How does Caleb Williams’ style challenge NFL norms? Williams’ unique fashion choices and self-expression, including painted nails and bold photoshoots, challenge traditional NFL masculinity norms and represent a generational shift in player self-expression.

Q4. Has Caleb Williams publicly discussed his sexuality? While Williams hasn’t explicitly addressed his sexuality, his dating history shows he has only been in relationships with women. His personal style choices are separate from his sexual orientation.

Q5. How are fans and NFL management reacting to Williams’ style? According to some sports commentators, the majority of fans and NFL general managers are not concerned with Williams’ personal style. His presence signals a potential shift towards greater acceptance of individual expression in the NFL.