Lions WR Jameson Williams, already under PED suspension, involved in police investigation into how he evaded gun arrest

On By Littum

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 16: Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions runs down the field during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo: Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Jameson Williams has had an eventful first three seasons with the Lions. (Photo: Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

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 gambling policy. Last week, he was suspended two games for a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. And now it has been reported that he has a completely different pending legal case.

The 23-year-old speedster is the central figure in an internal affairs investigation by the Detroit Police Department into how he went from facing arrest on a weapons charge to being free to walk, according to 7 News Detroit’s Ross Jones.

The Lions responded to the reported situation with a statement:

“Jameson immediately brought to our attention that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on Oct. 8. 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 case, Jameson has retained an attorney, and we will not comment further out of respect for the legal process.”

The near arrest reportedly occurred on Oct. 8, weeks before the PED suspension, when Williams and his brother were pulled over after midnight and told officers they had two handguns in the car. While the guns were properly registered and Williams’ brother had a concealed handgun license (CPL), Williams did not have the latter and faced a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.

As it was all going down, body cameras show Williams repeatedly informing the officer what he does for a living, at one point saying “I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams.” That didn’t stop him from being handcuffed and placed in a squad car.

But 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 found to have the Lions logo as wallpaper on his phone. At one point, the sergeant is seen whispering to the arresting officers “I’m so mad at you two,” though Detroit Police Chief Michael McGinnis reportedly claimed he said it “in a jovial way.”

The sergeant reportedly proceeded to make a series of phone calls to higher-ranking officials to determine whether Williams should be arrested or whether his brother’s CPL should cover both guns. He eventually concluded on camera that Williams should be taken to jail, but minutes later he spoke with a lieutenant who said Williams should be released from custody.

The sergeant was pleased, according to 7 News Detroit:

“Okay. Beautiful. I’m good at letting him go?” asks the sergeant before hanging up. “You are a (expletive) hero. Thank you so much.”

Williams was reportedly released, with his gun returned, and no police report was written or warrant request filed.

Nothing more happened until 7 News Detroit started asking questions about the traffic stop. They were reportedly told by a deputy chief that only one gun was found, but they then obtained 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 8th, my clients were pulled over for an alleged traffic violation. During the stop, my clients were both cooperative and respectful to the police officers. With the two handguns found in the vehicle, they were both properly registered and the driver in the vehicle had the proper credentials to carry them We have cooperated with the police and will continue to do so.

The Lions drafted Williams 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft when he was seen as a boom-or-bust prospect out of Alabama with significant talent and injury issues. Two and a half years later, there has been some boom, but mostly busted at this point.

Williams had to miss most of his rookie year after tearing his ACL in the 2022 College Football Championship Game and only caught one pass in six games when he returned. He was a breakout candidate his sophomore year until he was caught betting on college football games at the Lions’ team hotel, a violation of NFL playing rules.

This season turned out to be the year the Lions and their fans were waiting for as Williams opened the season with a 121-yard game and went on to post 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 gun charge possibly still pending.