‘Gotta keep your hands fresh’: why male athletes are wearing nail polish

Men's sport can be a hard place. But a rising number of stars are choosing to express themselves even if it annoys those with more old-fashioned views

USC quarterback Caleb Williams would appear to have a firm enough grip on football to project as the first pick in this year's NFL draft. But there's something about the Heisman trophy winner that keeps throwing off fans and talent evaluators alike, and it's right at his fingertips.

Williams, you see, is one of those guys who decorates his nails, unveiling a new paint scheme every time he takes the field and drawing criticism for spelling out foul messages to opponents across his fingers. His gameday tradition dates back four seasons, to Williams's high school senior year, and takes inspiration from his mother, who is a nail technician. You gotta keep your hands fresh," Williams said. This is where all the gold comes from."