Chicago Bears got to know Caleb Williams right away after the team drafted him #1 overall. His energy and enthusiasm for the moment were infectious. He met with fans, took pictures with them, and even celebrated the arrival of fellow 1st round pick Rome Odunze. However, something else emerged from the festivities. It became evident that Williams kept using a gesture of his hand as a claw, no doubt intending it to look like a bear’s. People were confused by the move and thought it was a one-time thing.
Then, whenever Williams popped up in videos or photographs, he’d do the claw. It was obvious he intended to make this gesture a thing in Chicago. What people can’t figure out is where it came from. Gregg Braggs of CHGO got to the bottom of it during an interview with wide receiver Josh Jackson. He is Williams’ best friend. The two were teammates briefly at USC before Jackson transferred to Nevada. Chicago signed him as an undrafted free agent earlier this month.
Jackson stated that the gesture started as somewhat of a goof. Williams noted that the Bears had no symbol to get behind like other teams might, so he decided to go with the claw. It was meant for good fun. Now, it’s become something more.
Think about it. He is the originator of “the Claw” gesture. No other organization uses it. If he patents it and becomes a successful player, he stands to make a ton of money in merchandising alone. Williams’ father is widely known for his business savvy. It isn’t a stretch to think his son got an excellent education on that front. While the business side of things isn’t the priority, it speaks to how smart the young man is. Now, all he has to do is play well. It sounds simple, but you can never promise anything with this franchise.
The truth is many great things have unusual origins. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a Hall of Fame pro wrestler before becoming a movie star. His most iconic move was the People’s Elbow. For those who haven’t seen it, look it up. It is without question one of the most ridiculous moves ever done in a squared circle. What many don’t know is Johnson invented it purely as a joke to make one of his fellow wrestlers, the Undertaker, break character. Nobody could’ve predicted it would become his signature move.
Caleb Williams’ claw may end up doing the same thing.
