Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams apparently has a lot on his plate.
Last year, he was suspended six games for violations of the NFL’s betting policy. Last week, he was suspended two games for a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. And now, it’s been reported that he has a completely different pending legal matter.
The 23-year-old speedster is the central figure in a Detroit Police Department internal affairs investigation into how he went from facing arrest on a gun charge to being free to go. according to Ross Jones of 7 News Detroit.
The Lions responded to the reported situation with a statement:
“Jameson immediately let us know that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8. We discussed the incident with him and kept the league informed of what we know. We understand that he was released without incident or citations. He is now” We understand the Detroit Police Department is reviewing the matter. “Jameson has retained an attorney and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.”
Jameson Williams was facing arrest. Then a police sergeant, a Lions fan, arrived.
The near-arrest reportedly occurred on October 8, weeks before the PED suspension, when Williams and his brother were stopped after midnight and told officers they had two guns in the car. While the weapons were properly registered and Williams’ brother had a concealed pistol license (CPL), Williams did not have the latter and was facing a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.
While all of this was going on, body cameras show Williams repeatedly informed the officer what he does for a living, saying at one point, “I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams.” That didn’t stop them from handcuffing him and putting him in a patrol car.
However, Williams was reportedly not taken to jail. Instead, a sergeant was called to the scene, and he turned out to be a Lions fan who immediately recognized Williams’ name and was shown to have the Lions logo as his wallpaper on his phone. At one point, the sergeant is seen whispering to the arresting officers, “I’m so mad at you two,” although Detroit Police Commander Michael McGinnis reportedly claimed he was saying it “in a jovial”.
The sergeant reportedly proceeded to make a series of phone calls to higher-ranking officials trying to determine whether Williams should be arrested or whether his brother’s CPL should cover both weapons. He eventually concluded on camera that Williams would have to be taken to jail, but minutes later, he spoke to a lieutenant who said Williams should be released.
The sergeant was satisfied, according to 7 News Detroit:
“Good. Beautiful. Am I okay to let him go?” the sergeant asks before hanging up. “You’re a (expletive) hero. Thank you very much.”
Williams was reportedly released, his gun was returned, and no police report was written or warrant request filed.
Nothing else happened until 7 News Detroit began asking questions about the traffic stop. A deputy chief reportedly told them only one gun was found, but they were later given the body camera footage when Police Chief James White learned of the second gun and ordered the internal affairs investigation.
Detroit police have reportedly since filed a warrant request with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.
Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, insisted in a statement to 7 News Detroit that both guns were properly registered:
“On October 8, my clients were stopped for an alleged traffic violation. Throughout the course of the stop, my clients were cooperative and respectful of the police officers. With the two handguns found in the vehicle, both were properly registered and the driver of the vehicle had the appropriate credentials to carry them. We have cooperated with authorities and will continue to do so.
Jameson Williams has been a turbulent presence for the Lions
The Lions selected Williams 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, when he was soon a boom-or-bust prospect out of Alabama, with major talent and injury concerns. Two and a half years later, there has been some boom, but at this point mostly a bust.
Williams had to miss most of his rookie year after tearing his ACL in the 2022 College Football Playoff Championship game and only caught one pass in six games when he returned. He was a top candidate as a sophomore until he was caught betting on college football games at the Lions team hotel, a violation of NFL gaming rules.
This season was shaping up to be the year the Lions and their fans had been waiting for, as Williams opened the season with a 121-yard game and proceeded to record 365 yards in his first five games, already setting a new career high.
Then the PED suspension and now this. He is scheduled to return Nov. 10 against the Houston Texans, with the weapons charge potentially still pending.