Ricky Williams busted by the NFL again

[DonC]

They aren't saying what he was taking or on this time, just that it is banned and he's looking at a one year suspension. Ricky is in India and has not commented.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I read somewhere that Ricky missed a test but that he didn't fail a test. But then I heard something on ESPN radio this afternoon that said it was indeed a failed drug test. Anyone got anything concrete on this?

[The Humanist Hero]

I read somewhere that Ricky missed a test but that he didn't fail a test. But then I heard something on ESPN radio this afternoon that said it was indeed a failed drug test. Anyone got anything concrete on this?
I'm a Dolphins fan for life so I've been following the story closely (though, personally, couldn't care less if R.W. falls off the face of the earth).

ESPN is reporting that he failed the test meaning he will be suspended for a full year.

Other media outlets, including Finheaven (the largest Dolphins website), are citing other sources claiming that Williams only missed the test. Of course, missing the test also leads to a one year suspension, but there's more wiggle room to appeal.

So, everything's up in the air. Nothing official has come down from the NFL. I would bet on him having failed it though.

[Puma]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sfgate&page=nfl/news/ABN4005550.htm


Report: Dolphins' Williams violates drug policy again
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams will reportedly face at least a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The Miami Herald confirmed a report by Denver television station KDVR that Williams either failed a drug test or missed a required test, which is also a violation.

This would be his fourth violation, the first three came after Williams tested positive for marijuana. He can appeal the violation, but if it stands Williams will be forced to sit out at least 12 months before he can apply for reinstatement.

Williams is set to make $560,000 next season and for an option year in 2007, but if he is suspended his contract cannot expire while he is serving the layoff.

The running back returned to the gridiron this past season after retiring in July of 2004. He rushed for 743 yards on 168 carries and got into the end zone six times. Williams sat out the first four games of the season and was fined for an extra four weeks for his second and third offenses.


02/20 00:01:56 ET

[Aelo]

Say it ain't so! I thought Ricky was back on track.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I read where Ricky Williams has responded. His comments were in High Times Magzine !


Ricky Williams: " I really don't see what the big deal is ? So I smoke some dope ? I mean jeeze. Can't people see I like gettin high when I play ? "
" I'm in India so I can smoke some more weed and live in a tent. Plus I have my IPOD so I can play Afroman's " Because I Got High " when I want to. The NFL needs to accept...I love smokin the chronic. " ( Williams takes a hit: cough cough )

[literally exaggerated]

Ricky Williams is rapidly becoming my all time favorite player. Now this is entertainment.

[BigJayStudd]

Ricky Williams is going to go down as the most hated Miami Dolphin of all time.

[StoneGold]

Ricky Williams is going to go down as the most hated Miami Dolphin of all time.
Sorry, just remembering Ace Ventura now.

[Deathstroke]

It's a shame since it's obvious he's got talent.

The idiot.

[PeteGunn]

Playing football isn't as important to him as a lot of people want it to be. If he wants to smoke, so be it. He can smoke to his heart's content now.

[BigJayStudd]

Playing football isn't as important to him as a lot of people want it to be. If he wants to smoke, so be it. He can smoke to his heart's content now.

I wouldn't have a problem with it if he had played till his contract expired, THEN went off and smoked. But the Dolphins made a commitment to Ricky Williams by trading away draft picks for him and giving him that contract.

[EZMOHR]

This man has wasted more talent than any player ever in the history of the NFL. To bad his heart did not match his talent.

[Valmore]

I wouldn't have a problem with it if he had played till his contract expired, THEN went off and smoked. But the Dolphins made a commitment to Ricky Williams by trading away draft picks for him and giving him that contract.

The Dolphins could have cut him when he decided to come back from retirement last fall. They knew he was a headcase. They decided to give him a contract anyway and... it bit them in the ass.

[The Humanist Hero]

The Dolphins could have cut him when he decided to come back from retirement last fall. They knew he was a headcase. They decided to give him a contract anyway and... it bit them in the ass.
Not really since he played for the minimum this year. And it doesn't change the fact that Williams signed the contract and has a responsibility to live up to it, not quit to smoke pot whenever he wants to.

[BigJayStudd]

The Dolphins could have cut him when he decided to come back from retirement last fall. They knew he was a headcase. They decided to give him a contract anyway and... it bit them in the ass.

He still screwed them, though. His trade value is pretty much shot now. I see your point, though. The Dolphins should have know better. I just have a problem with athletes who don't honor thier contracts.

[Valmore]

He still screwed them, though. His trade value is pretty much shot now. I see your point, though. The Dolphins should have know better. I just have a problem with athletes who don't honor thier contracts.

Oh, I don't like what Ricky has done. I thought the Dolphins got a bad hand when he decided to "retire" and travel the world on their dime, and felt the dolphins were justified in getting a refund.

This time, though... I'm having trouble sympathizing with the 'Fins. They knew Ricky was a headcase, and if he fouled up again they'd be stuck with him and no shot at trading him. And they gave him a contract anyway.

[Tadhg Adams]

Not really since he played for the minimum this year. And it doesn't change the fact that Williams signed the contract and has a responsibility to live up to it, not quit to smoke pot whenever he wants to.

I know the players screwed themselves with the CBA, but I really don't feel too bad when a player breaks a contract since the contracts are one-sided in favor of the team.

[Brian Cronin]

I liked a recent interview David Stern gave where he mentioned not even wanting the NFL system of contracts, BECAUSE they were too unfair to players.

-Brian

[The Humanist Hero]

I know the players screwed themselves with the CBA, but I really don't feel too bad when a player breaks a contract since the contracts are one-sided in favor of the team.
If they're unfair then they shouldn't sign them. I don't hear them complaining when they cash their checks.

[Tadhg Adams]

If they're unfair then they shouldn't sign them. I don't hear them complaining when they cash their checks.

Well let's see. Players are forced to uphold the contract whereas teams can fire a player at will. Yeah, I'd say it's one-sided.

[The Humanist Hero]

Well let's see. Players are forced to uphold the contract whereas teams can fire a player at will. Yeah, I'd say it's one-sided.
And the players know this going in and still agree to it, and so does their union.

[Naldo]

I can just see the NFL, Miami front office and investors sitting around discussing this, half of them on either Viagra or Zoloft tossing back the martinis and scotch and "tsk-tsk" the evils of marijuana. :rolleyes:

[Nick Soapdish]

It's basically a matter of not sign them and not get paid or sign them and risk getting cut (or have to rework the deal) as soon as the team decides that it needs a break. Only a very few players have the clout to be able to actually guarantee their contracts, although a few can virtually guarantee them because they're so good that the team can't afford to cut them (unless they have an off year).

[Calamas]

If I were a Dolphins fan, I would really hate Williams right now. The fact that they didn’t trade him near the end of the season when he had reestablished his value meant that he figured into their future plans. Miami took him at his word that he wanted to play again, trusted him to do what was necessary for him to continue playing, and was betrayed for so doing--whether Williams flunked the test or just missed it. Either way, Williams knew the requirements. In either case, he threw it all away.

It’s a sorry situation. Pot a mental addiction, not a physical one. Williams couldn’t do what he had to, even knowing what it would cost him. He obviously needs help, but it’s hard to help someone who doesn’t understand the problem. I wish him luck.

[Punchy]

Latest update.

I saw on the ESPN ticker that he tested for something OTHER than marijuana. Wonder what that could be?

Not only does this suck for the 'fins because he won't be able to play, it sucks even more because he was going to be trade bait so they could move up in draft picks.

[Tadhg Adams]

And the players know this going in and still agree to it, and so does their union.

*le sigh* There's no point in arguing over this since I conceded in my FIRST post that they screwed themselves with the CBA. I was just giving my feelings on why I'm not bothered when a player breaks the contract.

[J Dog]

What are the odds that Ricky is going to marry a warlord and change his name to "Azuki Gilgamesh" to avoid the Whizzinator Hunters?