After being slapped with a suspension for the first six games of the season, the Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams claimed he was unaware of the NFL gambling policy that he violated.
Williams was found to be involved in a college football bet from the Lions’ facility and got suspended immediately as NFL players can not make bets at any team/ league/ facility/ venue or on football games anywhere, however, they are allowed to bet on other sports following some conditions.
What did Jameson Williams say about his suspension from the NFL?
The Lions receiver Williams opened up to the reporters on Thursday after an OTA practice and candidly shared his thoughts following the suspension saying he alongside some of his teammates became speechless hearing the news.
“It hit me out the blue, and it hit a couple players on my team and around the league out the blue,” he said.
The 22-year-old as well as four other players were suspended due to allegations: Lions receiver Stanley Berryhill received a six-game suspension. Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore got released by the team after being suspended indefinitely ( at least 2023) and the Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney too faced suspension indefinitely ( at least 2023).
However, the young star claimed he had no idea about the situation and is now looking forward to moving on from the ugly incident towards better days.
#Lions WR Jameson Williams says he wasn’t aware of the NFL gambling rule he violated beforehand, but won’t appeal the 6-game suspension. “Just make the right decisions, it was something I wasn’t aware of and it caught me,” he said. Williams says “it hit me out the blue.” pic.twitter.com/tLgjywxxgr
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) May 25, 2023
“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,” he further added.
Why Williams didn’t appeal the six-game suspension?
Even though the former Alabama star said he was unaware of the NFL’s rules on gambling, he accepted responsibility and said he wouldn’t appeal for the suspension as he held himself accountable for the act.
“I broke a policy. They gave me six games and we left it at that. I just look forward to coming back Week 7, getting back with team out there and playing the game,” he said.
After getting drafted by the Lions with the No.12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Alabama, Jameson played in the final six games of the season, recording a 41-yard touchdown pass versus the Minnesota Vikings.
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However, he missed the first 11 games of his rookie season after being plagued by an ACL injury suffered during the 2021 national championship game and now the suspension made his football journey tougher.
The young star is allowed to be present for OTAs as well as other off-season and preseason activities. Let’s see if he manages to bounce back on the field and regain the trust of his team, fans, and the NFL.
