Caleb Williams Pokes Fun At Himself After Abysmal 3-Point Contest Showing

Professional athletes are often viewed as superhumans who can excel at anything they touch. But sometimes, we get a delightful reminder that they are mere mortals outside of their chosen arena. This weekend, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams gave us exactly that kind of moment during the NBA All-Star festivities.

Fresh off a record-breaking rookie season in the NFL, Williams stepped onto the basketball court for the Celebrity 3-Point Contest. Let’s just say the results were less “touchdown pass” and more “incomplete pass into the dirt.”

A Rough Night on the Hardwood For Caleb Williams

The event, a side attraction during the NBA’s star-studded weekend, featured a mix of athletes, influencers, and personalities. Williams was joined by the likes of internet comedian Druski, former NBA player Richard Jefferson, and streamer PlaqueBoyMax.

Expectations were high for Williams. He is an elite athlete, known for his precision and playmaking ability on the gridiron. However, shooting a basketball requires a different kind of touch. In the first round, Williams put up a score that will likely haunt his group chats for months: 4 points.

Out of 15 attempts, the Bears quarterback only managed to sink two shots. To make matters worse, a couple of his attempts didn’t even graze the rim, resulting in the dreaded airball. He finished dead last in the competition, trailing even Druski, who scored 5 points. The contest was ultimately won by active NBA player Jared McCain—who, honestly, probably had a bit of an unfair advantage in a “celebrity” contest—but all eyes were on Williams’ struggle.

Taking the Roast in Stride

In the age of social media, a performance like that travels fast. Clips of Williams’ airballs circulated instantly on Twitter and Instagram, with fans and critics alike jumping in with jokes. Comments ranged from comparing his shooting percentage to completion percentages to simply advising him to keep his day job.

But to his credit, Caleb Williams handled the embarrassment like a pro. Instead of getting defensive or ignoring the noise, he leaned into the joke. Shortly after the event, he took to his Instagram story with a caption that surely relieved nervous Bears fans everywhere.

“Hanging them up after tn,” he wrote, followed by laughing emojis. He jokingly announced his retirement from basketball before his career really even started. It was a perfect response that showed humility and self-awareness. It’s hard to roast someone effectively when they are already laughing at themselves.

Why Fans Shouldn’t Worry

For die-hard Chicago Bears fans, seeing their franchise quarterback struggle publicly might induce a momentary cringe. However, this is actually a positive sign of Williams’ character. He was willing to put himself out there in an unfamiliar environment, knowing full well he might not succeed.

Furthermore, his “day job” is going just fine. Williams is coming off a spectacular 2025 NFL season where he set franchise passing records, led the Bears to an NFC North title, and secured a playoff victory. His arm talent on the football field is undeniable, regardless of what his wrist action looks like on a basketball court.

We often demand perfection from athletes, but seeing them fail at other sports humanizes them. It reminds us that skills don’t always transfer universally. Michael Jordan struggled at baseball. Tim Tebow struggled at baseball. And apparently, Caleb Williams struggles at shooting corner threes.

The Fun of All-Star Weekend

Events like the Celebrity 3-Point Contest aren’t meant to be taken seriously. They are designed for entertainment, viral moments, and seeing our favorite stars in a different light. In that sense, Caleb Williams delivered. He might not have won the trophy, but he certainly provided the most memorable moment of the night.

So, while his jump shot might need some serious work—or perhaps a complete overhaul—Bears fans can rest easy. Caleb Williams is sticking to football. And based on his rookie year, that is exactly where he belongs. As for his basketball career? It seems that ended with a score of 4 and a good laugh on a Friday night.