Getty Image / Amy Lemus
Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Jameson Williams has had one of the strangest first twelve months in the National Football League. And, the Lions are going to need him to turn it around if they are going to fulfill their potential the next few years.
Jameson Williams started his college career at Ohio State, where he was fourth option behind studs Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson with Jaxon Smith-Njigba breathing down his neck. That caused him to transfer to Alabama for the 2021 season, where he became the top option and had a huge year. He had 79 catches for 1,542 yards and 15 touchdowns before tearing his ACL in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
But, the Lions still selected Williams with the 12th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, as they knew they were in the midst of a long-term rebuild. He was limited to just one catch last year as he returned late in the season, not at his full explosive capabilities. And, a breakout season in 2023 was surely coming.
But, Jameson Williams was suspended in April for six games for mobile gambling inside the Lions facility, another huge setback for the young player.
Now, he’s finally spoken out about the incident. Here’s more from Pro Football Talk.
“It hit me out the blue,” Williams said Thursday, via video from Eric Woodyard of ESPN. “It hit a couple of other players around the league, on my team, out of the blue. I wasn’t aware of this situation. After it happened, I took it on the chin. I was ready to move forward as things moved on and I got the consequences. That’s been my plan, moving forward from things and just looking for better days.”
Williams said he did not appeal since he broke an NFL policy and vows to “make the right decisions” moving forward.
“I’m just looking forward to coming back Week 7, getting back with my team out there, playing a game,” Williams said, via video from Brad Galli of WXYZ.
The NFL suspended Williams for betting on non-NFL events from an NFL facility. Players are allowed to bet on non-NFL sports but not at a team facility.
“I’m not a gambler. I’m a football player,” Williams said.
The problem is, right now, his NFL career is more known for a gambling scandal playing football.