The NFL handed down suspensions to five players on Friday, including four from the Detroit Lions, for violating the league’s gambling policy.
The biggest name among those players is Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. The former Alabama star was picked No. 12 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Williams has been suspended six games. While he did not wager on NFL games, he placed bets on other sports from within the Lions’ facility, which is prohibited by NFL rules.
His representation, Alliance Sports, has now responded to the suspension. It doesn’t sound like Williams has any plans to fight it.
“Alliance Sports confirms that its client, Jameson Williams, has been suspended by the NFL for six games for violating the NFL’s gambling policy,” the agency wrote, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit. However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football but rather due to a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed — and which would otherwise be allowed by the NFL outside of the club’s facility. Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.”
Williams’ suspension came as a blow to Lions fans, who are eager to see the speedster in action. Williams missed the first 11 games of last season while recovering from a torn ACL, and he only caught one pass (albeit for a 41-yard touchdown) once he returned to the field.
Williams’ suspension will begin on the NFL’s roster cut-down date. Until then, he remains eligible to work out with the team and participate in offseason activities.
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