There was a lot going on during the national anthem prior to the Monday Night Football game between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles , and the strangest part was how Caleb Williams handled the moment.
The Mariachi Herencia de México, a Mexican mariachi band, performed the “Star-Spangled Banner”. And while the anthem played , the two teams’ players, coaches and others stood along the sidelines.
But Williams was an exception.
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While the anthem was playing, Williams was seen on the ESPN national broadcast pacing along the Bears sideline as if he had somewhere else important to get to.
Williams , in fact, didn’t have anywhere important to go because he isn’t playing in this game – or possibly in a couple of others – while he recovers from a hamstring strain suffered in last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
And yet, the guy who cannot move well enough to play because a soft tissue injury is walking around during the national anthem.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is helped off the field with an apparent injury against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sept. 20, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Maybe Williams doesn’t know or doesn’t care, but this is a ceremonial no-no at best and disrespectful at worst.
The patriotic Code of Conduct for the national anthem is available online, through a government website.
It reads:
“During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.”
FILE – Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
That, believe it or not, has been the code since 1942.
In 1976, the code was amended to insert the requirement that “during the rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all persons present except those in uniform should stand at attention, face the flag, and place the right hand over the heart and men with headdress should remove the headdress and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart and when the flag is not displayed, those present should face the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.”
This is not debatable. It’s the universal code of conduct for Americans.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams grimaces in pain after going down during a run in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Maybe Williams isn’t aware. The educational system today is not renowned for teaching traditional American values and traditions any more, and Williams, 24, is a product of that system.
Or maybe Williams doesn’t really like to be bothered by the traditions of the national anthem. He was seen last season trying to chat with a teammate on the sideline during the national anthem.
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This is going to bother some people. More than a few reacted negatively on social media about the behavior.
Other people will simply shrug it off as an oversight or not worthy of attention.
The latter group is doubtless more interested in how well Williams moves around when he gets back on the field than him moving during the national anthem.
But they’re going to have to wait a while.
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