Police are launching an internal investigation after Lions WR Jameson Williams evaded arrest on weapons charges

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was exposed For two games earlier this month after violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, he was nearly arrested on Oct. 8 for carrying a concealed weapon. Why this wasn't the case is now the subject of an internal investigation by the Detroit Police Department, according to 7 News Detroit.

Police reportedly stopped a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop after midnight on October 8th. Inside were Williams and his brother, who told officers there were two guns in the car. One gun found in the back seat was registered to the brother, who had a concealed handgun license, while the other was registered to Williams, who did not have a concealed handgun license. That's when officers told Williams he was being taken into custody for carrying a concealed weapon.

Williams told officers he played for the Lions, but he was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of a police car. A sergeant was then called to the scene and 7 News Detroit reports he immediately recognized Williams' name. Body camera footage also reportedly showed that a Lions logo was the sergeant's phone wallpaper.

The sergeant then reportedly made several phone calls to higher-ranking officers and asked whether the brother's concealed pistol license applied to both weapons found in the vehicle. Body camera footage reportedly made it appear as if Williams was being taken into custody, but a call from a lieutenant to the sergeant produced a different result as Williams was subsequently released.

“OK. Nice. Can I let him go?” asked the sergeant on the phone. “You are a (expletive) hero. Thank you.”

Detroit police began their internal investigation after 7 News Detroit asked questions about the traffic stop. The Lions issued a statement to 7 News Detroit on Tuesday:

“Jameson immediately brought to our attention that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th. We have discussed the incident with him and have kept the league updated on everything we know. We believe he was released without incident or citation. Now the time has come.” It is our understanding that the Detroit Police Department is reviewing the matter. Jameson has retained an attorney and we will have no further comment out of respect for the legal process.

On Wednesday, the NFL issued the following statement (via NFL Media): “The Lions immediately notified the league upon learning of the matter. We have no further comment at this time.”