Caleb Williams Delivers Heartfelt Heisman Acceptance Speech

USC quarterback Caleb Williams thrived in the spotlight this season. Facing the constant pressure that comes with being the quarterback of the Trojans, Williams delivered again and again. So it came as no surprise on Saturday night that Williams, again under the glare of a bright spotlight, delivered an honest, heartfelt and humorous acceptance speech moments after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy.

Williams had no problem involving his teammates this season. The USC quarterback threw touchdown passes to 12 different receivers this season. It was more of the same following his Heisman win as Williams delivered thanks to practically everybody in the room.

He opened his remarks by thanking the other three finalists. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett was his recruiting host when he took a visit to see the Bulldogs. Williams called Bennett, C.J. Stroud and Max Duggan “unbelievable competitors.”

But Williams couldn’t help showcase some of his own competitiveness in that moment. Following USC’s first loss to Utah this season, an emotional Williams announced how much he hates losing. He referenced that a few times throughout the season. And again on Saturday, after logging the biggest individual win possible on the college football landscape, he again showed just how much he hates losing.

“I may be standing up here today,” Williams told the other finalists. “But you all get to go to the College Football Playoffs.”

USC was knocked out of the top four when the Trojans lost in the Pac-12 Championship Game to Utah. That allowed Stroud’s Ohio State Buckeyes to land at No. 4, joining Bennett’s No. 1 Georgia team and Duggan’s No. 3 TCU team.

“You can’t win ’em all,” Williams said

Williams then turned his attention to the previous Heisman Trophy winners standing behind him, thanking them for their passion for the game.

USC winners Matt Leinart, Carson Palmer and Mike Garrett were in attendance as previous winners. Williams made sure to give those three some special attention.

Special Thanks to Lincoln Riley and his USC Teammates

We don’t know how many people refer to USC head coach Lincoln Riley as “Big Dog.” But we do know there’s at least one.

“Big Dog,” Williams started as he shifted his attention to Riley, and his voice cracked in his first sign of real emotion. “Coach Riley. We committed to each other on two separate occasions, but with the same dream…Since our OU days, we’ve been through a lot. And even the sudden change in field from Norman, Oklahoma, to the University of Southern California, our dreams have not changed. They say either change your dreams or change your habits, and I damn sure wasn’t going to change my dreams. Glad you didn’t change yours either. But we both know, the job’s not done.”

Williams then extended thanks to Riley’s wife as well as their two children.

“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family,” he said. “And not only that, allowing him to coach me way more than he should. He should probably be at home.”

And then, to his teammates.

“I’d like to thank all my USC brothers,” Williams said. “I know we didn’t finish the way we wanted to. But the culture, bond that we formed will last forever. As I said, we do still have some unfinished business.”

Williams then paused for potentially a Heisman presentation first. Eight of Williams’ teammates, the eight offensive linemen who blocked for him this season, were in the audience, brought there with the help of Williams. He asked them all to stand up and be recognized.

“We’re all here to celebrate our accomplishment. “This doesn’t happen without each one of you.”

Williams then listed them individually. Bobby Haskins, Courland Ford, Andrew Vorhees, Gino Quinones, Brett Neilon, Justin Dedich, Jonah Monheim and Mason Murphy.

Williams Thanks his High School Coach

Williams then went back a bit to thank his high school coach at Gonzaga College High School, Randy Trivers. He credited Trivers and the Gonzaga mantra, “Meant for others,” for inspiring him to create the Caleb Cares Foundation.

He also singled out Mark McCain and Russell Thomas of Athletic Republic, a sports performance training facility co-owned by them and Williams’ father, Carl.

“You taught me how to be a QB and not play the position of QB,” Williams said. “You taught me how to look at myself in the mirror and like the man that’s looking back.”

An Emotional Finish With His Parents

Williams then took a beat and settled himseld, knowing the next part of his speech would likely be the toughest to get through. He spoke to his mother, Dayna Price, addressing her as “the most important woman in my life.”

“Thanks for always being my mom first,” Williams said. “The woman behind the scenes, who has a smile on her face and is willing to help others. You’re an inspiration to me in many ways.”

Williams then drew some laughs when he directed his next comments to “the old man over there,” of course referring to his father, Carl Williams.

“Thank you for showing me the way,” Williams said. “You instilled a work ethic in me at a young age that I can’t thank you enough for. From the training sessions to the late-night practices. Even opening Athletic Republic so my guys and I could go train. You’re always there for me, making sacrifices in your life so I can achieve mine. My dreams, which eventually became our dreams. It may seem to go unnoticed and appreciated. But you mean the world to me. We’re in this together and I wouldn’t want any other way.”

Williams’ Quarterback Origin Story

Williams said his football journey truly started when he was 10, as the season ended and he turned his equipment in.

“There’s one thing that I vividly remember, is telling my dad in the car ride home that this is what I wanted to do for my career,” Williams said. “I wanted to be a football player, wanted to be a quarterback. I loved it, I loved everything about it.”

The next step came a few years later, when he didn’t play as his team lost a national championship game.

“My coach told me I was too small,” Williams said. “That night, a fire ignited in me…I wanted to impact the game. I wanted to share the ball with all my teammates.”

Williams said he and his dad stayed up all night putting together a plan.

“5:30 am Breakfast Club Workouts,” Williams said. “We also had 6:30 pm lift, running, conditioning. Getting bigger, stronger, faster. We also had nutritionists, sleep patterns, sports psychologists, coaching experts in learning and playing the game. The more I learned, the more I wanted. But the path hasn’t always been easy.

“And this is me speaking to the 11-year-old out there who is watching right now, who is told you’re too small. Like they told me. Go out there, show them how big your heart is.

“To the seventh-grader who was passed over on the team like I was. Use that adversity to ignite your passion, like I did.

“To the ninth-grader out there who no one believes can make varsity. You can if you believe.

“To the tenth-grader losing in the championship game but had belief that we were going to come back, down 20 in the first half. Always believe that there’s one more Hail Mary up your sleeve.

“And to the college freshman who was fighting for a chance to contribute and get on the field with your brothers, your time is coming. Keep going.

“And if you lose your bid to get into the college playoffs, know that you’ll get through it like I did. And like I just learned. Back to work. The job isn’t done. The early setbacks that I encountered lit a fire in me. It started my journey. Your journey will be your own. Just keep believing and keep pursuing your goals. If you’re willing to put in the work and surround yourself with positive people, you can achieve anything. I used to write down my goals in a journal and what used to just be words on a piece of paper has me standing here today. So everyone, dreams really do come true. Thank you. Fight on.”