While he’s still suspended for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams shared with reporters some context into exactly how he found himself in this situation.
The wideout was suspended six games last month for betting on sports while at a Lions team facility, which is against NFL rules.
“Just make the right decisions,” Williams said on what he’s taken away from the suspension via USA TODAY. “It was something I wasn’t aware of, but it caught me.”
Williams said that he was surprised that the suspension had been handed down by the NFL.
“It hit me out the blue, and it hit a couple players on my team and around the league out the blue,” Williams said via USA TODAY during Detroit’s Thursday OTA session.
“I wasn’t aware of this situation. But as it happened, I took it on the chin. I was ready to move forward. As things went on, I got the consequences. That’s been my whole plan: moving forward from things and just looking at the better days.”
The report also shared Williams that didn’t attempt to appeal his suspension once it happened.
“The suspension pretty much is what it is. I broke a policy. … I’m just happy to be out here and get this time with my guys I didn’t get a chance to do last year,” Williams said. …
“I just left it alone. They gave me six games and we left it at that. I’m just looking forward to coming back Week 7, getting back with my team out there and playing a game.”
Williams was one of five players who earned a suspension in April for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Three of Williams’ teammates in Detroit were named in the punishment along with a defensive end for the Washington Commanders.
Williams and former Detroit wideout Stanley Berryhill will sit six games for mobile betting on team grounds, while the three others are indefinitely suspended for betting on NFL games.
Since Detroit has parted ways with Berryhill and the two Lions players who bet on NFL games, Williams is the only player left with the team who will be serving a gambling suspension this fall.