Overview
- Caleb Williams gave Pope Leo XIV an autographed Chicago Bears No. 18 jersey and posted images from the exchange that were circulated by sports outlets and social media.
- The photos show orange jersey numbers that differ from the Bears’ usual away look, leading some observers to suggest the item may be an early glimpse of the team’s Rivalries special-edition uniform.
- The Chicago Bears and the NFL have not confirmed the design so media and fan commentary remain speculative and unverified.
- NBC Chicago and other outlets noted the jersey in the images could instead be a retail fashion model sold by Nike, underscoring uncertainty about whether the item is an official game-worn design.
- Williams’s high profile after the Bears’ 2025 playoff run means the exchange could raise publicity and merchandising interest for the team while the league and franchise decide whether to confirm or reveal the Rivalries kit.