Caleb Williams announces basketball retirement after Intuit Dome appearance
Bears Star Caleb Williams Jokingly Ends Basketball Career After All-Star Weekend Misfire
The NBA All-Star Weekend festivities at the Intuit Dome are designed to showcase the intersection of sports and culture, but for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the crossover event proved to be a humbling experience. Following a dismal performance in the NBA All-Star Celebrity 3-Point Contest, the NFL standout wasted no time in announcing a swift "retirement" from the hardwood.
Williams, coming off a sensational 2025 NFL campaign where he led the Bears to an NFC North title and a playoff victory, stepped onto the court with high confidence. However, the transition from throwing touchdowns to sinking jumpers was far from seamless. Competing against a field that included internet personality Druski, streamer PlaqueBoyMax, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain, Williams struggled to find his rhythm from deep.
The quarterback managed a meager four points in the opening round, finishing dead last in the competition. He trailed even the non-athletes in the field, a fact that social media users were quick to highlight. The visuals of his wayward attempts went viral almost instantly, prompting Williams to control the narrative with self-deprecating humor rather than defensiveness.
Taking to Instagram shortly after his elimination, Williams posted a photo of his sneakers with the caption, "Hanging them up after tn," followed by a declaration that he is "not a hooper." The lighthearted resignation capped off a night where the Intuit Dome crowd saw Thunder rookie Jared McCain eventually take home the trophy, defeating PlaqueBoyMax in the final round.
While Williams’ basketball career lasted all of 60 seconds, his presence highlighted the NBA's continued ability to draw top-tier talent from other leagues during its showcase weekend. For Chicago fans, the "retirement" comes as a relief; there is no risk of their franchise quarterback swapping the gridiron for the G-League anytime soon. Williams will return to his day job having learned a valuable lesson: commanding an offense is one thing, but the NBA three-point line is an entirely different beast.
The NBA All-Star Weekend festivities at the Intuit Dome are designed to showcase the intersection of sports and culture, but for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the crossover event proved to be a humbling experience. Following a dismal performance in the NBA All-Star Celebrity 3-Point Contest, the NFL standout wasted no time in announcing a swift "retirement" from the hardwood.
Williams, coming off a sensational 2025 NFL campaign where he led the Bears to an NFC North title and a playoff victory, stepped onto the court with high confidence. However, the transition from throwing touchdowns to sinking jumpers was far from seamless. Competing against a field that included internet personality Druski, streamer PlaqueBoyMax, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain, Williams struggled to find his rhythm from deep.
The quarterback managed a meager four points in the opening round, finishing dead last in the competition. He trailed even the non-athletes in the field, a fact that social media users were quick to highlight. The visuals of his wayward attempts went viral almost instantly, prompting Williams to control the narrative with self-deprecating humor rather than defensiveness.
Taking to Instagram shortly after his elimination, Williams posted a photo of his sneakers with the caption, "Hanging them up after tn," followed by a declaration that he is "not a hooper." The lighthearted resignation capped off a night where the Intuit Dome crowd saw Thunder rookie Jared McCain eventually take home the trophy, defeating PlaqueBoyMax in the final round.
While Williams’ basketball career lasted all of 60 seconds, his presence highlighted the NBA's continued ability to draw top-tier talent from other leagues during its showcase weekend. For Chicago fans, the "retirement" comes as a relief; there is no risk of their franchise quarterback swapping the gridiron for the G-League anytime soon. Williams will return to his day job having learned a valuable lesson: commanding an offense is one thing, but the NBA three-point line is an entirely different beast.
