Speaking for the first time since he was suspended six games for violating NFL betting policies, Jameson Williams said he was baffled by the punishment.
The Detroit Lions wide receiver was one of four players suspended by the league; three others will miss at least the entire 2023 season.
Taken with the 12th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams admitted he wasn’t well attuned to league rules.
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams celebrates after catching a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL game in Detroit on December 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
«He hit me out of nowhere, and he hit a couple of players on my team and across the league out of nowhere. I wasn’t aware of this situation,» Williams admitted to reporters after Thursday OTA practice.
However, he is ready to move on.
«But as it happened, I took it on the chin. I was ready to move on. As things happened, I got the consequences. That’s been my whole plan: move on from things and just look at the better days,» he said. . saying.
Williams admitted that he didn’t bother spending much time fighting the case.
«The suspension is pretty much what it is. I broke a policy…I just left it alone. They gave me six games and we left it at that. I’m looking forward to Week 7, getting my team back out there and playing a game.» , said.
Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions catches a pass during the first half of a game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit on December 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
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Williams said he will now try to «just make the right decisions.»
The Alabama product tore his ACL in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship against Georgia, hurting his draft stock slightly. Injury forced him to miss the first 11 games of the season, but when he returned to the field, he showed his ability to play big: His first NFL reception was a 41-yard touchdown run.
Williams only scored nine goals on the season, and that touchdown was his only reception; he also had a 40-yard dash.
When Williams returns this coming season, he will line up against Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had 106 receptions and 1,161 yards in his second season.
Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on December 11, 2022. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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The Lions went 9-8 last season and were in contention for a playoff spot until the Seattle Seahawks eliminated them in Week 18.