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'Weakest winner of all time': Internet slams USC QB Caleb Williams after he wins 2022 Heisman Trophy

Williams received 544 first-place votes and 2,031 points to easily outpoint TCU quarterback Max Duggan

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The winner of the 2022 Heisman Trophy is USC QB, Caleb Williams. After this terrific victory, he will now become the first USC player to win the Heisman Trophy since Matt Leinart's victory in 2005 on Saturday, December 10 in the Appel Room at Lincoln Center in New York City.

According to the Daily Mail, he racked up more than 4,000 passing yards and 37 passing touchdowns last year. Williams won the award by beating out Max Duggan of TCU, who finished second, third-place CJ Stroud of Ohio State, and fourth-place Stetson Bennett of Georgia.

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After his win, USC has now joined Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Ohio State in winning seven all-time Heisman trophies. Williams joins other USC winners in history, including Mike Garrett, OJ Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, and Matt Leinart. Eight Trojans have actually received the award, but the 2005 trophy won by Reggie Bush was later revoked. The award was voided because an investigation found that Bush had received improper benefits after winning the award.

Williams has been constantly compared to some of the phenomenal players, including NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes. and Kansas City Chiefs star by quarterback coach Tom House. In one of the podcasts with ESPN, he also addressed his feelings regarding the same. He said, "It's pretty cool I'd say just because everybody watches Patrick and sees all the cool things he can do. I always said even in high school... obviously it's special but I don't think there's anything I can't do that he's doing out there. So I think it's really cool like I said. I had comparisons to a bunch of other people so to have Patrick is cool." Williams also extended his gratitude to his teammates, Riley, and his parents for being inspirations. He stated, s "we're in this together, and I wouldn't want it any other way, " reported USA Today. 

He claimed in his speech, "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 was told 'you're too small,' like they told me. Go out there, and 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."

He further added, "For the 10th-grader losing in the championship game, but have belief that we were going to come back and win 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."

Meanwhile, he also claimed, "The early setbacks 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, and Fight On." However, Williams’ 544 first-place votes were nearly triple the number of first-place votes Duggan received (188). 

Controversies against Caleb Williams 

USC QB Williams was heavily criticized earlier this year for crying after the two losses to Utah this season. He was also accused of faking injuries in the Pac-12 Championship Game. This came after he retweeted ESPN college football analyst Robert Griffin's tweet III about TCU quarterback Max Duggan after his loss to Kansas State. The analyst tweeted in favor of Duggan saying, "How can you not root for Max Duggan?," which Williams retweeted with the caption, "Lol." This created outrage among social media users. Later, he apologized stating, “Wasn’t laughing at Max D!! Happy for him, his journey, his team, and his passion for his school. I feel the same way after we lost this year," reported The Shadow League.com

In another instance, he also came up with nail paints during the matches against Utah. He painted his nails with  “F— UTAH," which became controversial. He explained, “You get to express yourself. I really only do it on game days. I’m going to see big events, which this is one of the largest events, so I knew that I was going to be wearing a lot of suits and everything like that, so I wanted to just go a little more classy, get some clear coat over it and rock that. It’s just a way to express yourself. There’s no hate. All love." 

He further added, “It’s like when people write things on their wristbands or their tape or anything like that, their shirt under the jersey. There’s nothing too deep to it. Respect all the guys we’re playing against and going out there against. It’s just something I’ve done since high school, so.”

'The worst Heisman pick in history'

The Internet quickly reacted to Williams winning the award. A user said, "The worst Heisman pick in history." Another added, "Awful. How can one vote for a supposed leader who writes explicit language towards another team. Not to mention...lost to the same team twice in one year." A user wrote, "Congrats Heisman committee. You just destroyed the credibility of your award. Williams is classless and barely in the top 10 of best college football players this season."

A tweet read, "Should’ve been Duggan. Caleb is the least “humble” of all the finalists and is an awful role model. I 100% guarantee he would rather hold that trophy than win a championship." Another read, "This awards a complete joke and everyone knows it. No way this guy should have won. Not even close to the best player in CFB." A user wondered, "Weakest winner of all time?." A tweet read, "The heisman is about how you play on the field and how you act off the field. Do we really think writing “F Utah” on your fingernails is good for a heisman winner? Integrity and all the other values which symbolize a Heisman winner he doesn’t have."

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