The Chronic
gruntgravel
559 Posts
SI.com -- Dolphins' running back Ricky Williams has again tested positive for drug use, according to the Miami Herald, a violation that could result in a one-year suspension under the league's substance abuse policy.The Herald cited two sources saying that Williams tested positive for a fourth time, but neither would disclose what substance Williams used. He had tested positive for marijuana on three previous occasions.Marijuana use was a major contributor in Williams walking away from football in 2004, just days before the start of Dolphins' training camp. He returned to the NFL last season, and was forced to sit out the first four games and was fined four weeks pay for his second and third substance abuse violations.The 1998 Heisman winner also tested positive in December 2003 and in the '04 offseason.Williams rushed for 743 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games this season, ending a streak of four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.Its weed, not human growth hormone!
Comments
this reminds me of the episode of ali g where he is talking to the president of the olympics and he asks him about drug testing and he's like "well certainly if they is on drugs, shouldn't they get a head start...etc" "i know if i was all mashed up i couldn't get off the couch, nevertheless lift the remote, nevertheless walk to the fridge, and definitely not run in a race..."
You may have to give up a lot of money, but at one point he was ready to make that sacrifice. And, according to his actions, he still may be ok with that choice, as I doubt any team would take him after another year off.
I'll step off my soap box, but every year it seems there are all these heart warming stories of people who quit the rat race to follow their dream, yet when Ricky did just that, people villified him. Either way, I just hope he finds some happiness.
I am under the impression that he didn't have much of a choice. He was facing a lot of fines and court costs if he didn't come back with his tail between his legs. Something to do with violating a multi-year contract?!? Also, I am all for freedom of expression and unconventional athletes, and it seemed like Ricky had his heart in right place. Not to mention the fact that I support the legalization of marijuana. Still, he should have layed off the pipe until his career was over.
seriously it just seems like dude is addicted to weed.
Yeah, he came back because he was going to lose a boatload on his 'guaranteed' signing bonus. But, the 'violating a multi-year contract' argument doesn't hold water when it comes to the NFL. I mean, if the team can cut you anytime they want, I can understand the frustration of a player in honoring that same contract to the letter.
I have really mixed feeling about this, because I think that a lot of the NFL's recent success is due partly to how the league is structured right now (the non-guaranteed contracts help keep the salary cap lower, more teams are competitive, players aren't nearly as complacent after getting a contract as they are in the NBA.) At the same time, I can see the player's frustration with the contract situation, which is tilted far towards the ownership.
i didnt realize that this was the prevailing thought.
Argos sign Ricky Williams
May 28, 2006. 07:21 PM
JAMES BISSON
CANADIAN PRESS
With a new look ??? and a new jersey number ??? Ricky Williams joined the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, looking to put a sullied reputation behind him.
The enigmatic Miami Dolphins running back signed a one-year contract with the Argonauts, allowing him to play football while serving a one-year suspension for violating the NFL???s substance abuse policy for a fourth time.
Freshly shorn and clean-shaven, Williams ??? who was known for his scraggly beard and dreadlocks ??? explained his decision to come to the CFL was largely a desire to start fresh. He felt the Canadian Football League was the perfect place to do that.
???Ever since I first arrived in Toronto, I???ve been surrounded by nothing but positivity,??? said Williams, who will wear jersey No. 27. ???Everyone has been so nice. It???s really an uplifting feeling to be in this kind of environment.???
Despite concerns about the potential of a career-ending injury, the Dolphins allowed Williams to negotiate a deal with the Argonauts. His contract does not include an option for 2007, and he is free to return to Miami next year if he is reinstated by the NFL commissioner.
In Williams, the Argonauts get one of football???s premier power backs still in his prime. Toronto coach Michael (Pinball) Clemons was ecstatic at the prospect of having a former NFL rushing champion on his roster.
???(He) has super-sized talent,??? said Clemons. ???(He???s) explosive, physical ??? he???s powerful. At times, he???s dominant as a football player.???
The five-foot-10, 220-pound Williams comes with a hefty pricetag ??? at least, by CFL standards. His deal is believed to be worth around $240,000, making Williams the highest-paid running back in the league.
Williams, 29, was recently suspended by the NFL for the entire 2006 season after a fourth positive drug test. The former Heisman Trophy winner missed Miami???s first four games last year following his third positive test. His first two positive tests came in 2002 and 2003, both for marijuana.
Despite his past drug troubles, Williams believes he can still be a good role model for Canadians.
???Everyone has experienced adversity in their life,??? said Williams, who will still be tested up to 10 times per month as part under the NFL???s drug policy. ???A real role model is someone who shows (people) how to deal with that adversity and make it a positive. I think my time here will serve as a great example of how I can turn something negative into a positive.???
Argos president Keith Pelley said he had no doubt Williams is drug-free.
???I???m not a gambling man, but I???d bet my house that this man is clean,??? said Pelley.
Toronto placed Williams on its negotiation list Apr. 28 ??? shortly after his suspension began ??? and had been speaking with both agent Leigh Steinberg and the Dolphins about securing permission to sign him ever since.
Williams and Steinberg spent the past five days in Toronto, and met with Argos ownership and Pelley. But because he still has two years remaining on his contract with Miami, the sides couldn???t officially hammer out a deal until the Dolphins gave Williams their approval.
That blessing came grudgingly.
???We expressed to Ricky our concerns about playing in Toronto in 2006,??? Dolphins coach Nick Saban said in a statement posted on the team???s website. ???We are relying on assurances made by Ricky, his agent, the Toronto Argonauts, and the commissioner of the Canadian Football League that Ricky will return to the Dolphins in 2007.
???Based on these assurances and despite our concerns for Ricky playing in the CFL in 2006, we will leave it up to him to decide whether or not he will negotiate a contract to play for the Argonauts this year.???
The two sides did so Saturday, paving the way for Williams to provide a tremendous upgrade to the Argos??? offence. He???ll attend his first practice Monday morning, and is expected to get the bulk of the time at running back during the season. His arrival relegates incumbent halfback John Avery to backup duty.
???We???ve brought Ricky Williams here with the intention of playing him,??? Clemons joked.
Williams said his goal is to guide the Argos to Grey Cup glory ??? and not necessarily dominate the rushing standings.
???It???s a team game,??? said Williams. ???From what I hear, we have a very talented team. It???s up to me to keep up my end of the bargain and perform at a high level.???
The reclusive running back made headlines after abruptly retiring prior to the 2004 campaign, saying he was tired of the demands of the NFL and yearned to travel the world. He returned to play last year after a judge ordered he repay Miami $8.6 million in bonus money for breaching his contract.
The Dolphins later reduced that amount to $5.4 million, and Williams paid back a percentage of his signing bonus as part of his return.
At the time of his return, a contrite Williams apologized to his teammates for leaving the team two days before training camp ??? a move which factored into the Dolphins posting a franchise-worst 4-12 record. Williams finished last season with 163 carries for 743 yards ??? averaging an impressive 4.4 yards per carry ??? and six touchdowns despite missing the first four games due to suspension.
Toronto is the latest stop in Williams???s topsy-turvy football career, one that began in 1999 as the future of the New Orleans Saints??? franchise. Saints head coach Mike Ditka was so in love with the Texas alum, he dealt all six New Orleans draft picks that year to secure the right to draft him.
Williams posted modest numbers with the Saints, breaking the 1,000-yard plateau in two of his three seasons before he was dealt to the Dolphins in 2002 for two first-round draft picks.
In his first season in Miami, Williams ran for a league-high 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns ??? both franchise records ??? and was selected for the Pro Bowl, where he took home MVP honours.
A two-sport star, Williams was an eighth-round selection of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1995 baseball draft, and also spent time in the Montreal Expos??? farm system.
Williams has rushed for 7,097 career yards with 47 touchdowns in 82 career NFL games, 73 as a starter.
80 year old man: It's just for pot, right? I can't see it being illegal for too long, so it obviously not a bothersome issue.
CBC NEws: What about the message to the kids?
10 year old: It's not steriods or herion.
K in Canada.
How many games will you goto this season now???
K.