Rookie Jonathan Williams Arrested and Charged With DWI
By Ryan Brennan
It was announced early on Thursday that Buffalo Bills’ rookie running back Jonathan Williams was arrested and charged with a DWI. He has since been released on bail.
Just a day after learning that LeSean McCoy won’t receive any discipline from the NFL regarding his role in a bar fight between Shady, his friends and a couple of off-duty police officers, we learn that another Buffalo Bills’ running back has found trouble with the law.
The police described Williams with red, watery eyes, couldn’t stand straight and had a strong odor of alcohol surrounding him.
This time, it’s the Bills’ newest addition to their running back corps, Jonathan Williams. Drafted in the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft with the 156th overall pick. He was a pick that many analysts and fans liked from Buffalo, adding depth to a position that has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons.
With LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams both missing time last season and being limited when on the field, an extra running back is always needed. The Bills grabbed Mike Gillislee midseason last year and added him to the practice squad, but was called up to the 53-man roster when the injuries came to McCoy and K. Williams. With a chance to prove himself, he took advantage and averaged 5.7 yards on 47 carries throughout the final five games of the season.
Before the draft, it seemed Gillislee was a clear No. 3 option for the Bills — and potentially still is. However, after drafting Jonathan Williams, that spot on the roster is one of the position battles going on right now with the Bills.
J. Williams potentially hurt his chance of becoming that No. 3 option anytime soon after the recent news of his arrest in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Williams played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was the leading rusher on the team before going down with a foot injury that kept him sidelined last season. In 2014, he ran for 1,190 yards and finished with 2,321 yards in his career with the team, lasting from 2012-2015. He was the 10th leading rusher all-time for the school.
Early Thursday morning, the police saw a possible drunk driver weaving through the streets of Fayetteville. When the police pulled the man over, it turned out to be rookie Jonathan Williams that they arrested. After talking to Williams and giving him the necessary sobriety tests, it was obvious that he was too drunk to drive.
The police described Williams with red, watery eyes, couldn’t stand straight and had a strong odor of alcohol surrounding him. His condition didn’t exactly fit the player’s description of him only having one beer around 7 pm — keep in mind he was pulled over a little before 3 in the morning.
Williams was immediately put in the Washington County Detention Center at 3:20 this morning and was released around two hours later.
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The recent release won’t aid Williams in finding any more playing time with the team than he already had. With a crowded backfield, he will most likely stay as the No. 4 running back behind Karlos and Gillislee — until he proves he’s matured and ready to focus on football. However, it should also be noted that this is really his first run-in with the law.
While we await any actions taken by the team or league, what do you think should be done about his recent arrest?