"Coach of Lions Stands by WR Jameson Williams, Citing 'Heart' and 'Progress'"
For the second consecutive week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell dedicated a significant portion of his Wednesday press conference to expressing unwavering support for suspended wide receiver Jameson Williams.
Campbell came to Williams' defense as news of his latest off-field incident, and possible arrest, surfaced.
\"Personally, I judge people based on their character, and I know this kid's character and he's worth standing by,\" Campbell stated on Wednesday.
According to Fox 2 in Detroit, prosecutors are investigating whether Williams should be arrested following a police stop on October 8th.
Reports indicate that two firearms were found in a car driven by Williams' brother, who was pulled over for speeding. One of the guns was registered to Williams, but he did not possess a concealed pistol license, which is required in Michigan for transporting a weapon.
Campbell revealed that they were informed of the incident by Williams immediately after it occurred.
\"It's definitely not a good look. I understand that,\" Campbell acknowledged when asked about the possibility of Williams facing his third NFL suspension. \"But ultimately, it comes down to decision-making on his part. He knows he needs to do better and avoid putting himself in these situations. He will learn from this, and I believe he has grown a lot as a person.\"
Through six games (four starts) this season, Williams has recorded 17 receptions for 361 yards and three touchdowns.
Last week, Campbell took a similar stance when addressing Williams' suspension for performance-enhancing substances. He expressed trust in Williams and assured that the team would stand by him during his suspension.
\"I have faith in this kid,\" Campbell stated on October 23rd. \"I trust him. Unfortunately, he has to face the consequences of his actions. If this suspension is handed down, so be it. But I know one thing, we extended a hand to help him up. We can't wait for anyone. Over a year ago, he started climbing his way up, and he made it to us. Maybe he slipped, but he will climb back up again. That hand is still there, tied to us, and he will be just fine. He is a part of this team, and I trust him.\"
In 2023, the 23-year-old served a four-game suspension for using a mobile device to bet on non-NFL games while at a team facility. Although the NFL has not announced a potential third suspension for Williams, the league has the authority to suspend players for off-field behavior and can take into account the severity of any previous negative publicity.
Earlier this week, Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams received a three-game suspension from the NFL. Williams was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon in August 2023, and had a prior citation for reckless driving at speeds over 100 mph.
Selected 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Williams missed 11 games in his rookie season due to an ACL injury sustained in his final college game.
In 24 career games (14 starts), Williams has recorded 42 receptions on 81 targets for 756 yards and six touchdowns.