A former NFL linebacker, Antwione Williams, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with assaulting law enforcement officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The arrest and charges were detailed in court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.
Williams, now 31, was initially drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2016 and later played in the XFL for the DC Defenders, a team now part of the United Football League (UFL). He is accused of being among the first individuals to breach the restricted Capitol perimeter during the riot. The criminal complaint alleges that Williams actively participated in violent confrontations with police, pushing through crowds and directly engaging in attacks on law enforcement officers.
According to prosecutors, Williams was caught on police body camera footage engaging in aggressive actions. He allegedly pulled bike racks away from officers and struck one officer on the head with a rack. In another recorded incident, Williams reportedly lunged at an officer who was attempting to use pepper spray to prevent rioters from seizing a barricade. The complaint states that he later grabbed and shoved multiple officers as part of a mob effort to overwhelm police lines. The evidence presented against Williams includes both body camera footage and publicly available videos. Authorities allege that his actions were part of a broader violent assault by rioters attempting to force their way into the Capitol building.
The FBI first identified Williams in December 2022 after receiving a tip about his involvement. Federal agents matched images from the riot with pictures from his social media accounts. Notably, during the riot, Williams was wearing a red key fob for a Chevrolet vehicle, which was also visible in riot footage and later found on his person at the time of his arrest. Investigators also pointed out that Williams wore a distinctive golf cap during the attack, which he was seen sporting in a photograph on his Instagram account.
On November 9, 2023, Williams was arrested in Savannah, Georgia. He faces multiple charges, including assaulting and impeding officers, civil disorder, entering restricted grounds, and disorderly conduct within the Capitol.
Williams appeared in court in Savannah shortly after his arrest but did not enter a plea. He was released on bond and is scheduled for his next court hearing in Washington, D.C., on November 21. Williams’ attorney declined to comment. Court documents reveal additional details about Williams’ involvement in the Capitol riot. The complaint notes that after rioters retook the West Plaza, Williams participated in chants of “U.S.A.!” and raised his fists triumphantly. He was also seen treating the effects of pepper spray before proceeding to the Lower West Terrace, another hotspot of rioter activity during the attack.
The January 6 Capitol riot caused significant harm, resulting in over 140 law enforcement officers being injured and an estimated $2.8 million in damages. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, more than 1,561 individuals across nearly every state have been federally charged for their roles in the insurrection. Of these, over 590 have faced charges for assaulting or obstructing law enforcement officers. Nearly 1,000 defendants have entered guilty pleas, while 210 have been convicted at trial.
The arrest of Antwione Williams underscores the ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions during the Capitol riot. Prosecutors and investigators continue to work through a massive caseload, with many cases involving violent confrontations with police. As Williams awaits his day in court, the legal and political repercussions of the January 6 attack remain a critical focus for federal authorities.
This case is yet another example of how public figures, including those from the world of sports, can find themselves ensnared in major legal controversies. For Williams, the accusations mark a sharp and troubling departure from his career in professional football, leaving him to face the consequences of his alleged involvement in a dark day in American history.
