Joe Williams’ time with the San Francisco 49ers was brief, but the latest chapter in his story is hard to ignore. On Wednesday, the former running back was arrested in West Hollywood after allegedly leading authorities on a chase, turning a once-promising draft pick into the subject of a far different kind of headline.
The arrest brings a new and serious twist to a career that never really took off in San Francisco. Williams was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, part of the first class built by John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan was high on him at the time, telling Lynch, “I’m telling you right now: If we don’t get him, I’ll be sick,” and later saying, “I will be contemplating Joe Williams all night.”
But the on-field chapter closed quickly. The 49ers waived Williams on August 31, 2018, and he never played in a regular-season game for the team. Since then, his name has largely faded from football discussion, which is why this arrest stands out so sharply: it reconnects a former 49ers player to the public eye in a way no team would want.
What we know about the arrest
According to the available information, Williams was arrested in West Hollywood after allegedly leading authorities on a chase. He was scheduled to appear in court on November 2. Those are the only verified details available here, and they are enough to show how far the story has moved from his draft-day promise.
That contrast is part of what makes the development notable. Williams was once viewed as a player worth serious attention inside the 49ers’ building, but his brief stay in San Francisco meant that promise never translated into a meaningful NFL role. Now, the focus is on the arrest itself and what comes next in court.
For the 49ers, Williams remains a reminder of how uncertain draft projections can be, even when a coach is convinced about the fit. For Williams, Wednesday marks a troubling new turn, with November 2 now the next date to watch.
