The FBI has arrested former Detroit Lions draft pick Antwione Williams this week on two felonies, including an assault charge.
Williams’ arrest is believed to be the first arrest made in connection with the January 6 Capitol riots from supporters of former President Donald Trump since he won reelection to the White House last week.
Williams only played for one season on a 53-man NFL roster, being waived by the Lions in 2017, the year after they drafted him.
Williams was identified in the huge crowd at the riots by a special agent within the FBI, matching a few photos from his social media to the outfit he wore to the US Capitol on the day of the insurrection attempt.
The agent and researchers assigned ‘AFO-419’ and the hashtag ‘#RiotingGolfer’ to association with Williams case, due to him wearing a New Era Golf hat.
Williams was seen wearing the black hat with the New Era Golf logo in photos on Instagram, as well as in several depictions outside the US Capitol.
Former NFL star Antwione Williams was arrested this week over January 6 Capitol riots
Williams was pictured outside the US Capitol building throughout the day on January 6
Williams played for one season in the NFL before being cut by the Detroit Lions in 2017
Another way Williams was identified was by the color, design, and placement of his key chain.
Hanging on the right pant leg from his belt, his key chain matched photos from his social media, as well as his uniform during the riots.
As part of the key chain was Williams’ car fob, which was red and designed for Chevrolet vehicles.
In August, FBI agents reviewed credit card records from an account thought to belong to Williams.
A statement showed a purchase on the day of the Capitol riots at ‘Colonial Parking Lot #863.’ According to Colonial’s website, this lot is located at the Rosslyn Metro Center, a train station in the nearby suburb of Arlington, Virginia.
Three train lines run frequently from Rosslyn to a few blocks from the US Capitol.
Williams is seen breaking through the police barricades set up outside the Capitol and getting into a shoving match with one officer.
Williams stayed on the Capitol grounds from the beginning of the certification of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, around 1:00 p.m., until nighttime.
Williams is seen breaking through barricades and getting into a shoving match with an officer
One way Williams was identified was through the design and placement of his key chain
Williams was at the US Capitol Building in DC for several hours during the January 6 riots
Williams can bee seen among the large crowds protesting the election results near the front
Williams spent time on the practice squads of the Vikings, Panthers, and Seahawks from 2017 through 2019.
During the relaunch of the XFL, Williams was a member of the DC Defenders.
After the pandemic and the league’s next revival, he was no longer trying to play professional football.
Williams played college football at Georgia Southern, with him wearing the school’s athletic logo in a few of the non-riot photos used to prove his identity.
As Trump returns to the Oval Office in January, those that have been charged or sentenced in connection with the Capitol riots could be pardoned.