For once, can Detroit Lions fans enjoy a good thing? Just once. The reason I pose that question is regarding Jameson Williams. Because there’s a stupid conversation surrounding the Lions’ newest wideout.
And get this. It’s over a photo-op.
The Lions introduced Williams (and Aidan Hutchinson) to the public last Friday. The Lions selected both with the 2nd and 12th overall picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. As with most press conferences as such, there are reporters, and cameras.
Before they spoke, both players posed for pictures. Lions head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes joined them.
Seems harmless, right? Well, not so fast.
After the photos circulated online, media pundits, both locally and nationally, pontificated over Williams’ facial expression. He wasn’t smiling. And because of that, many began to assume he was unhappy to be a Lion.
Geez. Are people really becoming that lazy? Off one picture, people are assuming he’s mad to be in Detroit? Let’s pump the brakes, everyone. We should settle down, and use some logic here. Because people are really “doing the most.”
Look at Jameson Williams on draft night. The footage is available on YouTube.
When the Detroit Lions called his name, Williams was all smiles. In fact, it was similar to the smile he had when discussing his talks with the Packers during the NFL Combine. Look at the photos of him posing with Lions fans in his cap after the selection. He’s in his element. The full swag and happiness of being a Detroit Lion is there.
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams celebrates with fans after being selected as the twelfth overall pick to the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
And if you want to focus on the day he was introduced, there’s a video of that, too. After he spoke at the podium, Williams did a one-on-one interview with WXYZ-TV Detroit’s Jeanna Trotman.
He smiled. He laughed. And he showed a little bit more energy than he did speaking to a room full of reporters. It was significantly different.
So instead of being overly negative, let’s entertain a different theory. It’s possible wasn’t prepared to speak to a room full of reporters. After all, he literally left the draft in Las Vegas and got on a flight to Detroit. He was less than 24 hours removed from the biggest moment of his professional life.
On Thursday night, Williams addressed the criticism in an interview with Complex Sports.
“I was just tired a little bit,” said Williams. I had to kick it the night before––it was a lifetime experience”
Hell, even Aidan Hutchinson said they barely spoke on the plane because they were sleeping. And if you’ve ever traveled from the West Coast to Detroit, that time change can kick your butt, physically, and that goes double if you aren’t well-rested.
The factors and theories of why Jameson Williams wasn’t smiling in one photo are endless. Redirect the conversation to what Williams can do on the field. That’s why the Detroit Lions drafted him. They drafted him to be the “game-changer” on the field, not be a model for Crest or Colgate toothpaste.
Follow Kory Woods on Twitter at KoryEWoods.
