Cole Beasley’s recent remarks concerning All-American USC Trojan quarterback Caleb Williams are generating backlash. Beasley’s remarks, which have been covered by Gridiron Heroics, are widely viewed as impertinent and intolerant.
Here’s how the whole controversy came about:
Williams went to a women’s NCAA Tournament game between his alma mater and the Kansas Jayhakws on March 25, 2024. While at the game, Williams was filmed holding a pink smartphone and a clutch. The video footage went viral.
Caleb Williams is going viral after seen vibing with his pink phone at the USC game last night 👀
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) March 26, 2024
Beasley took to social media to express his reaction to the viral footage.
I cant with these dudes. Lol
— Cole Beasley (@Bease11) March 30, 2024
Then, after some called Beasley out, he doubled down. In the words of Sports Illustrated, Beasley stoked controversy by insisting “that Williams’ fingernails are somehow associated with homosexuality, transsexuality, and pedophilia.”
Yo it’d be different if we weren’t living in a world that is trying to make it ok for a boy to just be a girl all the sudden. Or a cat or a dog. In a world where they are trying to normalize pedophilia. Handing out awards for courage for pretending to be something you’re not. I’m… https://t.co/xjHoBTgbVF
— Cole Beasley (@Bease11) March 30, 2024
With biting irony, Athlon Sports‘ Gene Chamberlain notes this is a case of a “player with the long hair and ponytail railing on a QB about his painted nails.”
(Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears for over three decades.)
Background Information Concerning Cole Beasley
34-year-old Cole Beasley played college football in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Although Beasley had been an option quarterback in high school, he played wide receiver at SMU. He played in 49 games over his college career, had just shy of 3,000 yards in pass receptions, and 14 touchdowns.

Coming out of SMU, Beasley went undrafted and became a free agent.
The Dallas Cowboys signed Beasley in 2012, and he played seven seasons with the Cowboys, starting games occasionally. In the midst of his time with the Cowboys, he agreed to a four-year $13.6 million deal with the team.
Beasley left the Cowboys in 2019, and signed a four-year $29 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. In 2020, he was named second-team All-Pro.
On his career, Beasley had 5,744 receiving yards and 34 touchdown receptions.

Beasley Is No Stranger to Controversy
During the throes of the pandemic, Beasley was an outspoken anti-vaxxer. Per the Forth Worth Star Telegram, “he will forever be known as the anti-vax guy.”
“During the 2020 NFL season … Beasley went all-in against the NFL’s mandatory COVID vaccination policies.
“Cole didn’t go full QAnon crazy, but he openly questioned the policies and refused to take the shot.
“In December 2021, he was placed on the COVID list and missed the Bills’ game against New England.
“Cole took to his Instagram account to write, ‘Just to be clear COVID is not keeping me out of this game. The rules are. Vaxxed players are playing with Covid every week now because they don’t test. One of my vaxxed teammates is in the hospital missing games. I’m sure he didn’t get this same energy. Thank you for those who support. Everyone else, if you don’t get what’s happening then there is nothing anybody can do for you.'”
“This did not help his chances of remaining with the Bills.”
Beasley went so far as to say that he’d rather retire from football than get the COVID vaccination. He got his wish. His career wound down and came to an end shortly thereafter.
Beasley’s Untoward Insinuations About Caleb Williams Do Not Jive with the High Regard in Which Williams Is Held by Teammates and Competitors
When asked to describe what it was like being a teammate of Williams’, standout wide receiver Tahj Washington said:
“It was an exceptional experience. It was cool, you know, to be a part of his Heisman journey. That’s my first time playing with somebody that won the Heisman. Somebody that I personally know as well. It was cool. It was a great experience. A phenomenal player as we all know, but even better person. Having that inside take on, you know, him as a person. Just being able to see him every day be the person he is with so many distractions around him and still be able to able to perform. Just take notes from him.”
And, when asked to describe Williams as a person and a teammate, Washington said:
“He’s a great teammate. Great person on and off the field. Like joke, funny, guys like that. He knows how to compartmentalize well. I feel like as a player and a person you need to know to know how to do those things well where it’s like when it’s business time, it’s time to get down to business. But I was very grateful to play with him.”
When asked to describe the experience of playing against Williams in a Pac 12 game, Washington Huskies defensive lineman Zion Tupuola-Fetui said:
“I think, I wouldn’t say I was in awe of the moment or anything like that, but I definitely thought that he was a specimen to behold. I remember after the first drive, we came off and me and Bralen [Trice] were like, ‘Did you see that guy’s legs. You know.’ Like it was all coming in like, ‘Oh, wow. Yeah, this guy won the Heisman. You know, let’s lock in and play some good football.’ Yeah, he’s definitely, you know he’s going to have a great career and everything like that, that comes with being that talented.”
Williams’ backup quarterback for the past two years at USC was Miller Moss, who is likely to be QB1 for USC in 2024. Moss “publicly thanked Caleb for his support and guidance [the] past two years.” According to Moss, “Caleb Williams was — and is — a great teammate and Trojan.”
Thank you for everything 13❤️✌🏼 https://t.co/BDyPmfuodx
— Miller Moss (@millermoss7) January 17, 2024
Beasley’s cramped, intemperate views regarding Williams are recognizable for what they are. The assessments of Williams’ teammates and fellow competitors are plainly more pertinent, fact-based, and insightful.
Who cares what color phone Williams was holding at the basketball game? Was it his phone? Was it the phone of a lady friend that Williams was momentarily holding? Who cares?
Williams Will Be Just Fine in Chicago
Athlon Sports succinctly points out:
“In a city where Dennis Rodman once dominated the boards and dressed in a bridal gown, no one is likely to be too concerned about quarterback Caleb Williams painting his nails….
“The bottom line in Chicago will be how Williams mixes with new teammates, what they think of his leadership and, more than anything else, what he does on the football field.”
Williams won the Heisman Trophy for a reason — excellence on the football field.
For more related sports news, focused primarily on the USC Trojans, SMU Mustangs, and Los Angeles Rams, please follow me at @vshjah_Victor.