The Detroit Lions are engaging in joint practices with other teams, as is common across the NFL, giving players the chance to see some familiar faces. Many NFL athletes have played for several teams, so it’s not unusual for them to know opponents from past teams or even college football days.
While these reunions can be friendly, sometimes they’re not. Just as in everyday life, there are certain people you may never want to meet again, and NFL players feel the same way.
Currently, Detroit Lions standout wide receiver Jameson Williams has clashed yet again with former Lions defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu. Fortunately, both were separated before things escalated, but clearly there’s little goodwill between them at the moment.
It began on Wednesday, August 13, when a scuffle broke out between Williams and Melifonwu during the Lions’ joint session with the Miami Dolphins. Coaches and teammates had to intervene to keep tempers from boiling over, breaking up the altercation.
Then, on Thursday, August 14, near the start of the second joint practice, the conflict reignited. Williams beat Melifonwu on a deep pass, and the Lions star made sure to let his former teammate know, which didn’t sit well. Once again, others had to step in to defuse the situation.
“First play of a new team period from the 50-yard line, Goff launches a BOMB to Jamo for a touchdown. Perfect pass,” Pouncy wrote. “Jamo blew by Ifeatu Melifonwu and was immediately in his face talking. Saint came over to break it up before it escalated.”
It’s unclear what started the tension between Williams and Melifonwu, but it seems to trace back to Melifonwu’s stint with the Lions. Luckily, no injuries have come from these incidents so far, keeping matters under control for now.
To expand on Wednesday’s skirmish, reporters C. Isaiah Smalls II and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that practice wrapped with the Williams-Melifonwu dust-up.
“Practice ended with a small skirmish; the Detroit News identified Dolphins (and former Lions) safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and Lions receiver Jameson Williams as the participants,” they noted.
With the season fast approaching, rising emotions make sense. Still, Williams should be cautious—he’s already faced two separate NFL suspensions, one for breaking the league’s gambling rules and another for using a banned substance. Adding on-field fights to his record wouldn’t help.
Williams remains among the league’s most gifted receivers. He has far too much at stake to risk it with confrontations like this, on or off the gridiron.
