ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Jameson Williams admitted to feeling “sick” and “harm” on the evening of April 20 when the Detroit Lions’ second-year receiver discovered of his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s playing coverage.
He mentioned he was blindsided by the ruling, which was formally introduced the subsequent morning.
“I did not know issues like this was coming, however I took me a while, and I simply thought in regards to the higher days and shifting ahead,” Williams mentioned. “It is not my final day dwelling so I simply stay up for the higher days.”
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Williams, the No. 12 choose of the 2022 NFL draft, claims he wasn’t conscious of the coverage beforehand. Though he did not guess on NFL video games, he was flagged for cell betting that occurred on the group’s Allen Park facility, which he says he would not bear in mind. He will not enchantment the six-game suspension.
“I simply left it alone,” Williams mentioned. “They gave me six video games and we left it at that. I simply stay up for coming again Week 7, getting again with group on the market and enjoying the sport.”
Williams insists he is “not a gambler,” saying, “I am a soccer participant.” He mentioned his betting did not occur regularly.
Though Williams is not glad to be suspended, he held himself accountable throughout a 10-minute media session throughout Thursday’s OTAs. He says he has discovered to “make the best choices,” and hopes it will increase consciousness about playing amongst fellow athletes sooner or later.
“Oh, yeah, for positive, as a result of like I mentioned, it hit me out the blue and it hit a pair different gamers across the league and on my group out the blue,” Williams mentioned. “I wasn’t conscious of this example, however because it occurred, I took it on the chin.”
Lions large receiver Quintez Cephus and security C.J. Moore have been suspended indefinitely then launched by Detroit for betting on NFL video games. Lions receiver Stanley Berryhill was additionally set to overlook six video games, at first, however he was waived in Could within the wake of the his betting suspension.
Williams is allowed to be current for OTAs, along with different offseason and preseason actions, however will start serving his suspension on the ultimate roster cut-down date. He would not elaborate on whether or not the league resolution was honest or not.
“That is actually not my resolution,” Williams mentioned. “I am within the league to play soccer and never make the principles on playing or issues like that.”
Head coach Dan Campbell mentioned Williams is “already miles forward” of the place he was final 12 months presently, when he was sidelined for the primary 11 video games whereas recovering from a torn ACL damage he suffered whereas at Alabama.
Detroit’s plan is to get as a lot work in with him as attainable earlier than the suspension begins with hopes of working him again into the system as soon as he is eligible to return for a robust end.
“Look, he is aware of. He is gotten it from everyone,” Campbell mentioned. “So, look, it occurred. It is an emphasis on the league proper now. It is a huge factor, our gamers know. We have tried to hammer it dwelling. Definitely, we did after that time and hit it two extra instances and we’ll maintain doing it. However, pay attention, it is occurring, the suspension is going on and what can we do to maneuver ahead?”
Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes additionally maintains religion in Williams’ character. The Lions haven’t any considerations with Williams shifting ahead, in accordance with Holmes.
“He made a mistake, and he takes accountability of it, he is aware of it,” Holmes mentioned April 29 following the 2023 NFL draft. “Sure, he’s younger and he understands the error that he made and we have had clear, open conversations about it, however we now have confidence that he’ll take the best strategy, that he’ll have the best response by way of what he must do.
“We’ll get him in coaching camp after which we’ll have a great plan for him when he has to depart and when he has to return.”
