Former NFL Player Praises Young Quarterback

Ben Johnson (1918–1996) was an American actor, stuntman, rodeo cowboy, and rancher, best known for his authentic portrayals in Western films. Born Francis Benjamin Johnson Jr. on June 13, 1918, in Foraker, Oklahoma, on the Osage Indian Reservation, he was of Irish, Osage, and Cherokee ancestry. The son of a rancher and rodeo champion, Johnson grew up with horsemanship and cowboy skills that would later define his Hollywood career[1][4][7]. Johnson's entry into the film industry began in 1940 when Howard Hughes hired him to deliver horses to California for the film *The Outlaw* (1943). He initially worked as a stuntman and horse wrangler, doubling for stars like John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and James Stewart. His acting break came when director John Ford noticed him after Johnson heroically saved people during an on-set accident on *Fort Apache* (1948). Ford subsequently signed him to a seven-year acting contract, leading to prominent roles in Ford’s Westerns, including the lead in *Wagon Master* (1950)[1][2][6][7]. Johnson also excelled as a rodeo competitor, winning the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Team Roping World Championship in 1953 and was inducted into their ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1973[4]. His most acclaimed role was as Sam 'the Lion' in *The Last Picture Show* (1971), which earned him the Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Despite his Hollywood success, Johnson remained grounded, continuing to operate a horse-breeding ranch and sponsor rodeo events that supported charitable causes[1][4][8]. He appeared in over 300 films and television shows, including *Have Gun Will Travel*, *The Virginian*, *The Monroes*, *The Undefeated*, *Chisum*, *Red Dawn* (1984), and his final film, *Angels in the Outfield* (1994). Johnson passed away from a heart attack on April 8, 1996, in Mesa, Arizona[1][2][8].

Caleb Williams is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Chicago Bears in the NFL. Born on November 18, 2001, in Washington, D.C., Williams first gained national attention as a highly ranked high school quarterback at Gonzaga College High School. He began his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma in 2021, where he notably led a dramatic comeback victory against the University of Texas as a freshman. Williams transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) for his sophomore and junior seasons, where he established himself as one of college football's premier players. In 2022, he won the Heisman Trophy, becoming USC’s eighth recipient of the award. That season, he set multiple USC single-season records, including total offense yards (4,919), passing completions (333), and touchdown passes (42). He also secured prestigious honors such as the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award, and was named the Associated Press Player of the Year. Williams was recognized as a unanimous First Team All-American and led USC to a Pac-12 Championship appearance. In the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams was selected first overall by the Chicago Bears. He is regarded as the franchise’s potential franchise quarterback, tasked with revitalizing a team that has historically lacked a 4,000-yard passer in a season. His rookie season with the Bears marks a critical point in his professional career and the team's future[1][2][4][5][6]. Williams stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs around 215–226 pounds. His combination of passing accuracy, rushing ability, and leadership has made him a significant figure in both college and professional football[1][2][3].