Jameson Williams, a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, unexpectedly became the focus of a police investigation following a traffic stop that almost led to his arrest for carrying a concealed weapon. However, Williams ultimately escaped without any incident or citation, despite the officers’ initial plans to take him into custody.
Just two weeks before the NFL suspended Williams for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the incident took place on October 8th. Police reportedly pulled over Williams’ brother’s vehicle for speeding near the intersection of Connor and Jefferson Avenue in Detroit.
During the encounter, the brother informed the officers that the car contained two guns—one registered to him and another to Williams. The problem? Williams did not have a concealed pistol license (CPL), which is required to legally carry a concealed weapon in Michigan.
WXYZ News obtained body camera footage of the officer informing Williams that he would face custody for the concealed weapon violation. The wide receiver repeatedly identified himself as a Detroit Lions player, but the officer maintained that his profession would not affect the arrest decision.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when a police sergeant arrived on the scene. Unlike the initial officers, the sergeant immediately recognized Williams and appeared to make several phone calls to higher-ranking officials. Following these conversations, the sergeant informed the arresting officers of Williams’ release from custody, declaring, “You’re an (expletive) hero.” Thank you so much.”
The Detroit Police Department has now launched an internal affairs investigation into the incident, with Chief James White expressing his displeasure over the handling of the situation. The department has since submitted a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, seeking to charge Williams with carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.
In a statement, the Lions acknowledged the incident and said they had kept the league informed of its developments. Williams hired an attorney, and the team won’t comment “out of respect for the legal process.”
This episode has raised questions about whether Williams’ status as a high-profile athlete played a role in the decision to ultimately release him from custody. The police investigation seeks to ascertain whether Williams’ celebrity influenced the sergeant’s actions or if the decision to release him had valid reasons.
As the legal process unfolds, the NFL and the Detroit Lions will be closely monitoring the situation. For now, the focus remains on the police department’s internal probe and the potential consequences for Williams, whose early success with the Lions has been overshadowed by this controversy.