In a true clash of the titans, USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. battled it out in Los Angeles in one of the most electric college football games of the year.
In the end, it’d ultimately be the Huskies who would defeat the Trojans, 52-42, as USC has been plagued with spotty defense all season long.
After the hard-fought game that undoubtedly ends any chance of USC contending for College Football Playoff spot or Pac-12 title, Williams leaped into the stands to embrace his mother while processing the devastating loss.
The ABC broadcast cameras lingered far too long on Williams’ moment with his family, as the emotional interaction showed the USC quarterback openly weeping in his mom’s arms.
It’s the kind of moment that the folks at home don’t need to be a part of. Even nationally televised games aren’t necessarily entitled to every single second that happens in the stadium. Sometimes, it’s okay to cut away.
College football fans felt both awful for Williams in this tough moment and perturbed that the cameras lingered unnecessarily like they did.
ABC is showing Caleb Williams sobbing in his mom’s arms as USC falls to 7-3. May only have a couple games left as a Trojan. Can’t hate on a kid who cares that much.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 5, 2023
ah man. feel for caleb. knows thats kinda it for his college career
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) November 5, 2023
Man, could do without the ABC/ESPN cameras fixating on Caleb Williams bawling on the sidelines. I get it, totally get it. But feels like we can have a human moment here and give him some room.
— Scott Chasen (@ChasenScott) November 5, 2023
This feels cruel. https://t.co/NFgUaQuP78
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) November 5, 2023
Lingering on this seems unnecessary. Maybe a little awareness? https://t.co/o3jEg1vPOo
— Brett Gibbons (@roadtocfb) November 5, 2023
I hate when yall post stuff like this.. let him have a private moment with his parents https://t.co/g3CtVFV8b4
— Bendu yeaney (@Benduyeaney1) November 5, 2023
Holding this on television for nearly 35 seconds seems so wrong for a college kid. https://t.co/JeNyqxLjpE
— Jack Smith 🎙 (@jacksmithpxp) November 5, 2023
This broke me. Caleb has to be perfect or USC doesn't win. If only the defense was better. Too much pressure on the poor kid. https://t.co/InYxwE01T0
— Ben Denton (@BDNetwork1) November 5, 2023
yo what if we just let athletes have emotional moments with their family without the camera being GLUED on them for 30 seconds… https://t.co/y5ShfNrnsm
— Matt (streaming) (@mdlukens101) November 5, 2023
🥲football families feel this https://t.co/pxBgokfDLB
— Talex (@EvanAlexRNMSN) November 5, 2023
man get the camera off him
at the end of the day that’s a kid and his parents give them some privacy https://t.co/nwnFiQWLSX
— bryce (@thisisntbryce) November 5, 2023
This must be the mama in me but this breaks my heart seeing him fall into his mama’s arms like that and just let it all out… https://t.co/Nkg5BShzZb
— Sheyla Ferguson (@SheylaFerguson) November 5, 2023
— SlowRideArgument (@thereeldondon) November 5, 2023
This hurts me man…. That’s my quarterback 😞😔😣😫😭 https://t.co/8kcCFWbKsU
— Arena Hoppers (@ArenaHoppers) November 5, 2023
Poor kid I've been there, man. Being a collegiate athlete is tough. You put so much time and effort in and the losses are soul crushing. There will be better days. https://t.co/49Lz6OeFLS
— Alan Williams (@trupuckhead) November 5, 2023
— Keith (@Envius023) November 5, 2023