Ricky Williams Retires

[custom]

He never was "quite right."

Report: Dolphins' Ricky Williams to Retire

Sunday, July 25, 2004
MIAMI - Ricky Williams has told the Miami Dolphins that he's retiring after just five years in the NFL, The Miami Herald reported on its Web site Sunday.

Williams said he was overjoyed by his decision.

"You can't understand how free I feel," Williams told the Herald in a cell phone interview Saturday before boarding a plane in Hawaii and heading to Asia to begin several months of travel.

The 27-year-old running back, who started his career with the New Orleans Saints, said he plans to file his retirement papers with the NFL on Monday or Tuesday.

Williams told Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt of his decision Friday and said Wannstedt tried to persuade him to reconsider. Miami opens training camp Friday.

The Dolphins acquired Williams from New Orleans for two first-round draft picks in 2002, and he led the NFL in rushing that year.

Phone messages left early Sunday with two Dolphins officials and Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, weren't immediately returned.

"I have no comment," Wannstedt told the Herald when asked about Williams' retiring. "Players report Friday. Right now, it's a 10-day dead period. We'll get everybody started on Friday."

Wannstedt acknowledged talking with Williams but declined to give details of their conversation.

Williams said there was no chance he would change his mind.

He said he has already told his mother Sandy, Steinberg, backup running back Travis Minor and friends and family of his decision.

In May, three South Florida newspapers reported that Williams tested positive for marijuana and faced a fine of at least $650,000 for violating the league's substance-abuse policy for a second time since joining the Dolphins.

But his attorney, Gary Ostrow, told The Associated Press: "As far as I'm concerned, there is no violation."

Williams told the Herald his failed marijuana tests had a minor influence on his decision to retire, but was only one of many factors. It didn't cause him to retire, he said, as much as reinforce his reasons for wanting to do so.

Williams' two seasons with the Dolphins have been the best of his career. He set a team record with 1,853 yards rushing in 2002. He followed that with 1,372 yards last season.

 

[PC1]

Such a talented athelete and still a young man. I'd be curious to know what he plans on doing career wise from here on out?

 

[phatbody]

Not as shocking as Barry Sanders, but damn.

But you know what. As long as it makes him happy, he should do it. He's made more money then most of us will ever see and still has his health. He could have a nice looooong retirement.

 

[lifted]

Nah, he'll be back.....eventually. But damn, I'm gonna miss using him in Madden 2005...lol.....

 

[phatbody]

I don't know, Madden is due on thr 9th of August. Don't know if that is enough time to edit the game. I'm not sure how that stuff works.

 

[jminis]

yeah he's an odd bird for sure but he does have his health and he'll be able to walk normal in his older years unlike a lot of NFL players. I'd probably do the same thing. To hell with retiring when your a cripple.

 

[Iron Warrior]

Well, this ain't that shocking to hear. The guy did have a habit of meeting the media with his helmet on LOL. He's had depression issues in the past so maybe it's a temporary thing. I'd be damm happy though if I were in the NFC east, just made New England's job a hell of a lot easier.

BTW, good point on NFL players and their future health jminis, after all, why would you want millions of $$$ if you can't fully enjoy your life ?

 

[sage]

His priority obviously isnt in football. One way ticket to Asia? He isnt retired for good. Wait 2-3 years and he will come back since even the wackiest of people will come back to where the money is......
Sage

 

[DieTrying]

Piece of ****! Just when things were starting to look up for us South Florida fans (signing of Shaq)..the Marlins go on a losing streak and Ricky Williams retires.

If he wants to retire at age 27, whatever, thats his choice. But he should have told management sooner, that way they could have drafted a RB for the future or at least made a trade for somebody better than Travis Minor. Maybe Eddie George would have wanted to come here?? This sucks

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Maybe he just didn't want to play for maimi any more. He'll take they year off then sign with someone else next year.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

He is one weird dude though.

 

[lifted]

I don't know, Madden is due on thr 9th of August. Don't know if that is enough time to edit the game. I'm not sure how that stuff works.

It's due out the 9th bro? Uh-oh, look out...my winter laziness is about to begin...lol... :rofl:

 

[LuckyBoy]

As far as I know they take the rosters from the previous year and apply them to the game and any trade/draft pick done in the off season you have to do yourself. But that would be pretty badass if they were that up-to-date right out of the box.

 

[lifted]

As far as I know they take the rosters from the previous year and apply them to the game and any trade/draft pick done in the off season you have to do yourself. But that would be pretty badass if they were that up-to-date right out of the box.

YEah, they should have something to update the game every so often whenever you use the PS2 modem and go online...it could take you to an EA sports update page....that would definately be sweet. Hmm....maybe I'll email them...

Me and some guys down here usually rent out a bar/club and hold a Madden Tournament. Last year I won 200 bucks and that wasn't even first place. We always get a very nice turn-out....we get other guys to post flyers all around town, etc...

 

[oswizzle]

ha ha ha Ricky Williams u pussy,,,,i am glad i didnt draft you for fantasy football this year,,,go smoke some shwag u fake ass Brian Grant

 

[phatbody]

You're absolutely right. He should have at least had the courtesy to inform his management a lot sooner. Maybe he has some resentment against Miami?

Piece of ****! Just when things were starting to look up for us South Florida fans (signing of Shaq)..the Marlins go on a losing streak and Ricky Williams retires.

If he wants to retire at age 27, whatever, thats his choice. But he should have told management sooner, that way they could have drafted a RB for the future or at least made a trade for somebody better than Travis Minor. Maybe Eddie George would have wanted to come here?? This sucks

 

[Brock Landers]

Fucking pussy, oh well, at least we South Florida fans have the Hurricanes!!!!!!!!

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Maybe he has some resentment against Miami?

No he was just so stoned he forgot to tell them.

 

[size]

He is a real strange individual.

 

[MaDmaN]

I don't know call me crazy but something does not smell right with this situation.I know there are some drug allegations,but who really knows for sure...I watched the press conference and it appeared Dave Wanstat knew alot more but would not elaborate,his answers although not derogatory, they were clearly not congratulatory
for his service to Miami ....JMO

 

[lifted]

He is a real strange individual.

I'd take his strangeness/income over my income any day of the week....

 

[Billy the kid]

I watched an interview of Eric Dickerson a couple of years back and he was asked about a few of the top running backs. He said Ricky williams "did not have the heart" to make a big impact on the game.

I guess he was right.

 

[Jarconis]

Its obvious hes going to Thailand to become a bodybuilder...

 

[custom]

Its obvious hes going to Thailand to become a bodybuilder...

He is one jacked mofo.

 

[phatbody]

Ah I over looked the fact that he totaly screwed the Dolphins because now they have 0 running game. It would have been ok to do it in say march, but right now with training camp and pre-season around to corner it was a pretty dick move.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Ah I over looked the fact that he totaly screwed the Dolphins because now they have 0 running game. It would have been ok to do it in say march, but right now with training camp and pre-season around to corner it was a pretty dick move

Yup but it will probably equal 2 wins for the patriots so I am happy about it.

 

[hannibal]

Yeah....Ricky Williams retire and now Brock Lester turns down a 4.5 million WWE contract to sign a base salary with the Minnesota Vikings. Go figure..... :blink:

 

[gosox]

dolphins werent gonna be any comp for my pats anyways, the chokin homos in teal

 

[Brodus]

Maybe he's facing other charges?

Or maybe he just wants to do drugs and young prostitutes in a country that permits it.

If it's the second one, he won't be coming back to play ball...it's not like he's a musician and can get away with, either physically or publicly.

 

[willieman]

He's been hanging out alot latley with Lenny Kravits...wants to be a rock star..

 

[PC1]

Put his picture in the dictionary next to the word FOOL.

A huge waste of prodigious talent.

Someday he'll wake up somewhere and realize what a capital F Fool he is for squandering it all.

I mean if the guy doesn't want to play football, or retire at the top of his game or whatever, that's fine. But what I'm reading in the news is that the guy is just a flake who'd rather be able to smoke dope whenever he feels like it.

Incredible.

The only upside for me personally, is that I've had my kids read the articles as a lesson in life about how recreational drugs can RUIN a person. The guy makes more money in 1 FOOTBALL game than I make in 4 years salary, and he's walking away from that, the notoriety, the privilege and the honor associated with being an elite athelete among elite atheletes................. to be a pothead.

But frankly, I'd rather have some criminal loser from today's headlines to be able to drive a point like that home.

It's really, really disappointing to see this from someone like him.

 

[custom]

Agreed. The amount of God given raw talent he has wasted is just plain said.

 

[Brodus]

It was just reported in the Chicago Trib. that Williams faced a four-game suspension for yet another failed drug test for marijuana. The Dolphins hadn't been notified yet, but surely Williams knew. He'd have been sitting out the first quarter for the season, so he threw in the towel.

And yes, this is a great argument for the stupid decisions people make for recreational drugs...a few hours of enjoyment vs. a lifetime of success.

 

[Iron Warrior]

BTW, don't the Colts look like geniuses for not drafting his pothead ass ? I'm sure some of you remember the Colts getting blasted for taking Edgerrin James over Ricky Williams.

 

[lifted]

BTW, don't the Colts look like geniuses for not drafting his pothead ass ? I'm sure some of you remember the Colts getting blasted for taking Edgerrin James over Ricky Williams.

I can't wait to see Peyton;s brother Eli croak on the field this year if he does indeed start. I don't like that guy...

Colts will be poppin though this year...look out for 'em....

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I can't wait to see Peyton;s brother Eli croak on the field this year if he does indeed start. I don't like that guy...

I can't imagine them using him over warner.

Colts will be poppin though this year...look out for 'em....

Colt will still have to go threw the pats.

 

[lifted]

I can't imagine them using him over warner.

Colt will still have to go threw the pats.

I can...Warner sucks man...

Pats, they'll be no match for the Steelers this year... :trout:

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Pats, they'll be no match for the Steelers this year...

I have heard that before.lol

 

[Iron Warrior]

BTW, I don't know if you guys know, but according to Jim Rome, Ricky Williams wants to play for the Raiders in 2005 and there's nothing the Dolphins can get in return. He will likely comment on it in his show "Rome is burning" at 9pm Pacific, 12pm Eastern

 

[CEDeoudes59]

He didn't retire per say. He quit.
And a large portion of the decision was because he wants to smoke weed. I kid you not.

Here's Bill O'reilly on Williams:

Up In Smoke
By: Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com
Thursday, Aug 05, 2004
Star Miami Dolphin running back Ricky Williams has walked away from millions of dollars, in part because of marijuana. Williams told the Miami Herald that he smoked weed constantly and masked his use by consuming a substance called "Extra Clean." Nevertheless, Williams failed three drug tests administered by the NFL, and finally decided to retire at age 27, citing his desire to continue smoking pot as one of the reasons.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, less than 2 percent of American youths had ever used marijuana, back in the year 1962. Forty years later, that percentage had increased to an astounding 54%. The simple question is: What dynamic has changed in America to account for the drastic increase in the consumption of marijuana?

The watershed event, of course, was the rise of the anti-war movement in the late 1960s. Smoking pot became the appetizer for the Vietnam protest entree. The rock world immediately got involved, and an intoxication celebration was underway.

Since that time, marijuana use, especially among young people, has steadily increased, and now about 20% of high school seniors smoke pot on a regular basis.

Interestingly, up until 1992, marijuana use was far more common among whites than minority Americans, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health. But in the nineties, pot consumption by African-American men and women between the ages of 18 and 29 increased 224%!

The ten years between 1992 and 2002 coincided with the rise of the rap industry. Icons such as Snoop Dogg and Ludacris consistently glorified marijuana, and I believe their message fell on willing ears. A generation of Americans kids, of all colors, were (and continue to be) pounded by rhythms and lyrics encouraging a libertine lifestyle with a heavy emphasis on drug use and exploitative sex. How could this not take a toll?

Anyway, Ricky Williams and millions of other young Americans love their pot, and are willing to make great sacrifices to consume it. Think about all the good Williams could have done with the money he was earning. Life in the National Football League is no easy venture, but athletic ability is a gift that should not be discarded lightly.

The bigger picture is that marijuana use is now largely accepted by American society even in the case of young people. This is a disaster for kids. Awash in drugs and alcohol, we are now a culture where children are exposed to intoxicating agents practically from the time they reach the age of reason (7 years). And any child who becomes involved with mind altering substances loses their childhood instantly. They are never the same.

But how often do you hear the media speak out against substance consumption? It is winked at, excused, and even tacitly encouraged by many pundits and activists. That is the great change since 1962. Getting high is no longer even an issue in many quarters - it is standard procedure.

Ricky Williams should be the poster boy for the marijuana debate. The man obviously is seeking emotional comfort, and the price of that comfort is somewhere around $15 million dollars. You can't get much higher than that.

 

[Brodus]

"Ricky Williams should be the poster boy for the marijuana debate. The man obviously is seeking emotional comfort, and the price of that comfort is somewhere around $15 million dollars. You can't get much higher than that."

I have issues w/ a lot of Bill O'Reilly stuff, but damn, that's as true as it gets.

 

[CEDeoudes59]

"Ricky Williams should be the poster boy for the marijuana debate. The man obviously is seeking emotional comfort, and the price of that comfort is somewhere around $15 million dollars. You can't get much higher than that."

I have issues w/ a lot of Bill O'Reilly stuff, but damn, that's as true as it gets.

no no O'Reilly is always right :thumbsup:

 

[CDB]

It was just reported in the Chicago Trib. that Williams faced a four-game suspension for yet another failed drug test for marijuana. The Dolphins hadn't been notified yet, but surely Williams knew. He'd have been sitting out the first quarter for the season, so he threw in the towel.

And yes, this is a great argument for the stupid decisions people make for recreational drugs...a few hours of enjoyment vs. a lifetime of success.

Has no one considered the possibility that he could have continued to play and smoked weed moderately and done well or great anyway, and the only thing stopping that from happening was the contract he signed and a rather idiotic and puritanical approach to drugs in the country? Shitloads of basketball players get stoned and their game doesn't seem to suffer much. Weed isn't a performance enhancer, but it's no where near as bad as most believe. After studying it's health effects for a few years as an activist for drug law reform I often wondered why, when presented with the facts, people would actually choose alcohol over marijuana, alcohol being quite a bit worse for your overall health over time.

It's weird to see this type of opinion on a board like this. You'd think with the all the nonsense put out there about steroids by the government and the media, and how it contrasts with the reality of their use, you guys would at least second guess this 'he threw his life away to be a pot head' and 'recreational drugs can RUIN a person' nonsense.

 

[CEDeoudes59]

I don't know, Ricky said it. I believe the NBA is more tolerant of recreational drugs than the NFL. NFL guys get suspended much more often for weed.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Weed isn't a performance enhancer, but it's no where near as bad as most believe. After studying it's health effects for a few years as an activist for drug law reform I often wondered why, when presented with the facts, people would actually choose alcohol over marijuana, alcohol being quite a bit worse for your overall health over time.

It does make you about as sharp as a bag of wet hair though.

 

[CEDeoudes59]

Compare Pat Tillman to Ricky Williams, its hard to get excited for Ricky. Or feel sympathy.
And Actually, hes talking about a comeback with the Oakland Raiders in 2005. Talk about a slap in the face for Miami - the team who traded for him to get him out of a shitty situation in New Orleans.

 

[primal1]

nows hes talking about how cool it would be to come back next year to be a raider.

 

[Brodus]

"After studying it's health effects for a few years as an activist for drug law reform "

Where did you go to school to study these effects?

What group did you work with/for?

To comment on your assumption that an opinon about steroid deregulation should implicitly equal tacit approval of recreational drug utilization--I must say that I don't think comparing recreational drugs and steroids to be at all useful.

Since you've done a lot of testing and research, what happens when you have a subject smoke a joint and then attempt a cognitive evaluation or physical endurance test? What happens after you administer Dromastanolone? In case your activist group didn't provide you with the research, I have quite a few studies for you.

In terms of Ricky Williams, he signed a contract and gets paid millions to abide by it.

What about contracts you sign--do you think it's rational to tell your bank you can't pay the mortgage becuase banks are an oppressive regime spawned by a capitalist pig state? The issue here has nothing to do with a philosophical ideal about drugs, it has to do with the meaning of a contract-->when you accept MILLIONS of dollars, yo uplay by the rules...if you drop out to go get high, you are a dumb Pu33y, period. Ask any kid how hasn't spent years smoking weed, and they'll give you the same answer.

 

[CDB]

"After studying it's health effects for a few years as an activist for drug law reform "
Where did you go to school to study these effects?

State University of New York at Stony Brook.

What group did you work with/for?

USB Students for s Sensible Drug policy.

To comment on your assumption that an opinon about steroid deregulation should implicitly equal tacit approval of recreational drug utilization--I must say that I don't think comparing recreational drugs and steroids to be at all useful.

Mind telling me why? In both cases a group of users who are doing no harm to others or the property of others are having their choices and freedom curtailed because of public paranoia, hysteria, and overall ignorance.

Since you've done a lot of testing and research, what happens when you have a subject smoke a joint and then attempt a cognitive evaluation or physical endurance test? What happens after you administer Dromastanolone? In case your activist group didn't provide you with the research, I have quite a few studies for you.

Never said I did testing, read a bit more carefully. Perhaps you have a study that also covers the dangers of smoking weed and then ingesting a few gallons of diesel fuel, and could explain its relevance to real world use of the drug? One of the major problems with marijuana research is its relevance and politicized nature. Methodology is also a problem, megadosing lab grade THC being one the common errors. Studies done by Doctor's Heath and Nahas (sp) are examples of this.

In terms of Ricky Williams, he signed a contract and gets paid millions to abide by it.

What about contracts you sign--do you think it's rational to tell your bank you can't pay the mortgage becuase banks are an oppressive regime spawned by a capitalist pig state?

A little touchy are we? I am a capitalist, probably more extremely so than you. My problem is the culture that the contract was spawned from. They have every right to hold him to it, I think it's a no brainer that the choice he made is stupid. However, I don't think it's totally beyond question that this particular part of the contract was born is a less than well informed environment.

The issue here has nothing to do with a philosophical ideal about drugs, it has to do with the meaning of a contract-->when you accept MILLIONS of dollars, yo uplay by the rules...if you drop out to go get high, you are a dumb Pu33y, period. Ask any kid how hasn't spent years smoking weed, and they'll give you the same answer.

See above. I am way to the right of Libertarian, which makes be about as capitalist as you can get. As far as I'm concerned that contract is the end all be all of the situation. My concern was the general tone of the posts here on the subject. Did Williams make an idiotic decision? Yes. Was it his to make? Yes. Will smoking pot turn you into a layabout idiot who makes such decisions? No, and I know and/or know of a few hundred productive, many well to do members of society, lawyers, CPAs, teachers (good ones), who aren't turned off by a puff of weed every now and then to say the least. Do their lives and decisions get factored into the lessons people give on recreational drug use?

Not seeing the parallel in drug policies here is, to my mind, excedingly off base. In both cases questionable studies are used to justify the policies. In both cases users suffer for no reason other than people disagree with their choices. In both cases people who are othewise lawabiding citizens are hit with ridiculous sentences, often disenfranchized and saddled with criminal records that affect their ability to lead productive lives.

If your job contract says you shouldn't use pot, you shouldn't use pot or find another job. One can still question the overall necessity and appropriateness of such a requirement without questioning the rights of those who would have it as such in their contracts.

 

[Brodus]

I know of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, and if you are to the right of Libertarian, than your philosophy is well-grounded and actually supports your views, vs. other possible positions, and that is good.

"If your job contract says you shouldn't use pot, you shouldn't use pot or find another job. One can still question the overall necessity and appropriateness of such a requirement without questioning the rights of those who would have it as such in their contracts."

This is true--but the thread is about Ricky Williams retiring and why; although you may feel it is essentially a problem rooted in a flawed sociological/governmental hypothesis, it really doesn't matter and arguing it is a totally different debate. He did quit to smoke pot, among other things, and that's really lame, no matter what you think LSD making people geniuses, and regular pot smokers having no trouble deciphering the gulf between Einsteinian general relativity and quantum phenomena.

You can believe what you want, but the mental and physical effects of Marijuana and Dromasterlone are vastly different, so comparing policy decisions is pointless. Not seeing the disparity between "performance enhancing" drugs and drugs of recreation/use/abuse/brain is naive at best and deceptive at worst...No one here wants anyone in power to link the two drug groups; they should be judged on their own merit. I don't know what studies you read, but I have never seen a case where marijuana or cocaine, or heroin or LSD use improved cognitive or physical response on anything...in fact, it's always the oppposite. "The studies are flawed," you say; fine, but why then does mass public anecdotal evidence confirm this? This is in direct opposition to publically confirmed anecdotal evidence concerning steroids--in fact, go read the "cycle info" threads...lots of positive user experience there. I have yet to read, on Erowid or any other recreational drug forum, a drug user's report in which four bong rips boosted ACT scores by 3 points, or how someones heroin binge put them in the front running for CEO.

My personal opinion is that recreational drug users become increasingly selfish and self-centered, and unable to navigate the cultural fabric of success, instead choosing to fashion elaborate versions of the truth that reinforce thier flawed worldview and allow them to continue to pretend they are smart, talented, etc. (this is an opinon, not an argument).

Am I saying an occassional hit off a joint, etc., is going to ruin someone? Of course not...I have more experience in drugs of all sorts than you might expect, which I feel gives me ground to argue from...But I also know that potheads are notorious under achievers, and that being high all of the time precipitates a paranoid world view that actually serves to disconnect people from centers of influence where they might actually have had a chance to affect change prior to their lifestyle choices. I think everyone who has tried drugs and decided they don't exactly help you become much more than a laughable couch monkey with good ideas but an empty bank account and a low-wage job ...now surely you can point to your handful of associates who still do drugs and are successful, and so can I (mostly talking pot and coke here)...but understand that college-educated people represent 1% of the total population, and hence, the sample size is ridiculously ineffectual for sweeping jugements of any kind. The same goes for elite athletes...it's entirely ridiculous to make any social policy jugements based on what works/doesn't for pro athletes, b/c they represent a very, very small fraction of the gene pool, and quite likely possess innate mechanisms that prevent major damage from being done (or enhance recovery) that might occur in the general populous.

When you get into issues of public policy, these things matter, even though philosophically they shouldn't, because the official stance of a government influences what people think--maybe not you or I, but the majority of Americans...whether you or I like it or not, that is who they represent...if the majority of America says "I don't want my kid to get a message condoning pot use, b/c I've seen what happened to my brother, or RICKY WILLIAMS," the fact is, that is who they represent. You can look for all kinds of conspiracies behind such policy, but its really just as simple as that. Students for a Sensible Drug Policy probably doesn't frequent PTA meetings, and there's a reason for that.

Lastly, if you are a capitalist, and uber-libertarian, than you surely believe in social-Darwinsim, so either you think recreational drugs make you more competitive, and as such are a good thing, or you think they make you less competitive, but you don't care b/c you don't use them, and if others do, you have a leg up on them...this has nothing to do with governmetnal intrusion, but you're personal philosophy. Its not a false dilemma, it really has to go one way or the other: you can't embrace social-Darwinism and equate steroids (which produce increases in competitiveness) with recreational drugs (which reduce effective competitiveness) unless you only do the former.