Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is serving a two-game ban for a PED violation, but it is possible the third-year player could face additional NFL discipline under the personal conduct policy. A murky situation has developed in Detroit.
Officers placed Williams in handcuffs and nearly booked him on a gun charge, according to WXYZ’s Ross Jones, who reports the former first-round pick was to be taken to jail before being released from custody shortly prior to being booked. This incident occurred after midnight Oct. 8. This has brought a belated charge against the wide receiver, but the matter took a circuitous route to reach this point.
Williams and his brother were pulled over in Detroit, and the stop led to Williams — the passenger in the vehicle — admitting he was in possession of a gun without a concealed pistol license, Jones reports. The arresting officer informed Williams he would be taken into custody. The officer’s bodycam footage includes Williams repeatedly saying he was a Lions player. “I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams,” the 23-year-old wideout said. While Williams was placed in the back of a squad car, he was not taken to jail. His Lions status appears to have indeed proved beneficial — at least initially.
A sergeant who arrived to back up the arresting officers soon made several calls to superiors asking if Williams needed to be arrested on this gun charge, Ross reports, adding that the sergeant’s cellphone wallpaper included a Lions logo. The sergeant is heard indicating Williams would indeed be taken to jail on the charge, but a lieutenant then called back to indicate no booking would be necessary. The sergeant thanked the lieutenant, per Ross, and took Williams out of handcuffs.
Williams’ gun was soon returned as well, and no arrest warrant or police report initially emerged. An internal affairs investigation has since been launched, Ross reports, adding that a development last week has since resulted in Williams being hit with the gun charge he was set to face. This will ensure the Detroit pass catcher would be subject to another suspension, pending an NFL investigation.
One game remains on Williams’ PED ban. The Alabama alum has already run afoul of two NFL policies, having been popped under the gambling umbrella last year. Williams was found to have bet on non-NFL sporting events while on team grounds. A suspension under the personal conduct policy could now be in play.
Officers initially told Jones only one gun was found during the arrest, the one belonging to Williams’ brother, who had a license to carry. Police chief James White learning of the second gun — which resided under the passenger seat — led to portions of the bodycam video being shared, which has shed light on Williams’ actions that morning.
“Jameson made us aware immediately that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th,” a Lions statement reads. “We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league informed of what we know. We understand he was released without incident or citation. It is now our understanding that the Detroit Police Department is revisiting the matter. Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.”
Given a more prominent role on offense following Josh Reynolds‘ free agency defection, Williams has shown promise in his third season. The Lions’ No. 2 wideout is averaging 21.2 yards per reception (17 catches, 361 yards) and has caught three touchdown passes. It is not certain a suspension would come, and the nature of this internal investigation may well point to any potential NFL discipline taking place in 2025. Still, Williams facing three suspensions in three years would introduce more hurdles as he attempts to make a case for a long-term run in Detroit.
After the Pearsall situation I completely understand him feeling like he needs protection but come on man you could have easily got the proper license or had somebody carrying it for you. I just can’t comprehend why these guys don’t realize they are million dollar assets stop hurting your value
Different conversation but we all have a 2nd amendment right. As a concealed carry permit owner in GA where its now constitutional carry i still have it just in case…Concealed carry license is an infringement on our rights but if those are the state laws you need to obide by them until you vote your way out of it. He’s not a ‘thug’ or an ‘idiot’ for having a gun, just follow the laws.
By the time you pull out your concealed piece homer you will be pushing up daisies. Try learning how to spell, then start worrying about your rights.
Great and intelligent insight Teacher, you are so wise….You do realize it’s easier to pull out your non-concealed ‘piece’ (open carry with no permit btw) to protect yourself correct? Making the concealed carry permit stupid in the first place.
Take out the et in asset my friend and you will understand why.
I live in MD and have a conceal carry that covers MI ♂️ IJS it’s not that hard to CYA. Especially for a millionaire he has the time and money, he can do a whole private one on one class♂️
He could have got his permit while serving his gambling suspension.
Well he did go to Saban’s Alabama which sets such standards that his player’s are above following school rules (now NFL) and the law.
@ak pls comment on the officers behavior and on the situation generally.
Dude is throwing away his future man lol
Finish the rookie contract and then be someone else’s problem. Sheesh.
He shouldn’t need a permit to exercise his 2nd Amendment rights. In 29 states he wouldn’t need to.
Fair enough, but until that is recognized as the law of the land, in Michigan he does and he didn’t.
If he’s a knucklehead he needs much more than a permit.
I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt with gambling – its legal most everywhere now. I can buy some confusion.
But this guy just doesn’t get it.
I love the rare occasion when this guy actually plays for my football team. But he is clearly stupid.
This guy is acting like he was a raiders draft pick.
Ready for all the saints in the chat to dogpile on this young man for making a bad choice
*A* bad choice, as in singular?
“a” implies singular. 1.) Gambling 2.) PED/PES 3.) Gun Posession
Or “a” lot?
He is only 23 years old. He needs to realize his pro football paycheck is in jeopardy.
“Williams repeatedly saying he was a Lions player. “I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams” stuff is not a pass. Young man needs to wise up.
Plaxico Burress is still the greatest ‘gun carrying’ NFL idiot of all time. Shooting yourself in the leg!
Confirmed – He is stupid.
I said it for the last suspension. This guy is slowly becoming complete waste of time.
Comments open… for now?
I’ll leave the “update the Amendment to reflect muskets have been replaced by semiautomatics” argument alone
I will point out that permits are not just to protect Joe Public … especially since who commits crimes with their registered gun … but also the men & women on the job.
I don’t think it should be a state issue; it should be a federal/law of the land issue but that’s not a black hole I want to fall into
fwiw: I have FL, UT & NY CCW so I’m no hypocrite lol
Jameson really didn’t do anything wrong in this situation. The cops made the mistake as far as I can tell. I don’t see the NFL punishing him for this, but I have been wrong before.
Waiting for AK to comment to give us some perspective.