Lions rookie Jameson Williams helps in Thanksgiving giveaway

DETROIT — Rookie receiver Jameson Williams reported to Detroit Lions observe for the primary time this week then dropped a dime on the Motor Metropolis neighborhood on the eve of the staff’s Thanksgiving Day showdown towards the Buffalo Payments.

Learn extra: Welcome to Thanksgiving within the NFL: All the things it is advisable know in regards to the historical past, information, moments and extra

The Lions’ twelfth total choose popped up on the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) headquarters to distribute turkeys and reward playing cards to 100 native households on Wednesday. Though Williams has but to swimsuit up in an NFL sport whereas recovering from a torn ACL he suffered at Alabama in January, he was eagerly anticipating the chance to offer again.

“I wished to get out and get an opportunity to get on this neighborhood to speak to people, talk with people and allow them to know I am for the folks actually,” Williams informed ESPN.

Williams was joined by quite a few relations, together with each dad and mom, James and Tianna Williams. They’ve assisted him all through the complete rehabilitation course of and have been proper by his facet for his first vacation occasion. They’re hoping it’s going to turn into a household custom.

“It is simply excellent for him to return to the town and assist the town,” James mentioned. “It is higher to begin off serving to.”

“Household … cannot nothing break that bond,” Tianna added.

Because the Lions are within the midst of their first three-game win streak since 2017, the staff hopes that Williams can contribute instantly as soon as he is cleared.

On his first day again Monday, he ran the passing tree routes with observe squad quarterback Tim Boyle after the staff walkthrough. Boyle left the observe area as a believer in his potential.

“Very easy and intensely quick. Actually good out and in of breaks, ran actually crisp routes,” Boyle mentioned of Williams. “It was positively good to see him. You can inform he was excited to be again on the market. He was type of holding again his little smirk.”

The Lions nonetheless have not set a agency date for his return, however head coach Dan Campbell anticipates it taking place someday after the Thanksgiving sport.

When Williams does hit the sector, he’ll be rocking former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford’s outdated No. 9 in Detroit. He contacted the present Los Angeles Rams quarterback earlier than deciding on the quantity, who gave him his blessings, with the response, “that 9 could be shifting rather a lot quicker than on the sector.”

By means of neighborhood occasions just like the PAL meals giveaway, and probably excessive manufacturing on the sector, Williams is hoping to create his personal legacy in Detroit as soon as he is lastly capable of play.

“The 9 is a legendary quantity for Detroit, however no disrespect, I actually wish to take over that legacy,” Williams mentioned. “I need the 9 to be remembered due to me and what I did for Detroit.”