NFL suspends Williams for violating drug policy
MIAMI - Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams was suspended for the 2006 season by the NFL today for violating the league’s substance abuse policy for the fourth time. The league announced the suspension after Williams’ appeal of his latest positive drug test was denied. Williams met with NFL counsel Jeff Pash on April 10 in an attempt to have the league overturn the test.
Jeebus, what a complete dickweed. Don’t get me wrong; I admire the fact that Ricky WIlliams marches to a different drummer. That takes some cojones, especially in the rules-and-conformity world of the National Football League. But what sort of fool gets a multi-million dollar job as a running back in the NFL, only to continue smoking ganja? This is a man who could have been set for life financially, if only he’d been able to leave the bong behind until his playing days were over. THIS is a DUMB@$$ AWARD looking for a place to happen if ever there was one….
So much talent. So much potential. So little common sense. So much weed.
“I’m disappointed with the decision, but I respect it,” Williams said in a statement released by the Dolphins. “I’m proud of my association with the National Football League and look forward to returning to the Dolphins in 2007.”
Previous positive tests were for marijuana, which Williams acknowledged using. The latest test apparently involved a drug other than marijuana.
The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and 2002 NFL rushing champion, Williams retired and sat out the 2004 season, then returned last year to play for new Miami coach Nick Saban.
He served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2005 season for his third violation of the drug program, then ran for 743 yards and averaged 4.4 yards a carry while sharing playing time with rookie Ronnie Brown.
News that Williams had failed another drug test surfaced in February, while he was in India studying yoga and holistic medicine.
I’m the last person who would condemn anyone for the occasional recreational enjoyment of some ganja. In my time, I’ve indulged in the evil weed a time or twelve myself. Of course, I ‘m not an star NFL running back with the potential to make millions of dollars, if only my pee comes up clean. How sad is it to see someone so phenomenally talented as Ricky Williams throw his career into the toilet because he enjoyed the insatiable case of the munchies that comes from toking?
Then again, I’m not going to waste a lot of crocodile tears on Williams, either. After all, when you boil things down to their absolute bare essence, life is really all about decisions and consequences. No one held a gun to Williams’ head and told him to fire up his bong. He chose to get high, he got caught, and now he has to deal with the consequences. Or perhaps this is what he’s been after all along?? Hmm….
