The Dolphins might have been tipped off that this might be an unusual season for Williams when management learned through a newspaper story that Williams had failed a drug test and was being docked four games' pay this season.


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.

Is it just me, or is anybody else expecting him to suit up for the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League next season?

I've got to agree, if you rather travel and smoke pot, you'd better get out of football. It's not like he can't afford it.

I'd do the same thing if I could afford it (minus the weed part).

I think RW leaving football is great. I am a huge football fan (Green Bay) and still think that the players take it too seriously. Bill hit on something in the post:

He made his money, he doesn't want to play football, he likes to smoke weed ... have at it.

If only there were more like him and Robert Smith of the Vikings a few years ago...

Walk away while you can still walk...

Easy for you to say, Bill. You're not a Dolphins fan.

As a lifelong Dolphins fan, I have no problem with Ricky's decision to quit. If he wants to lounge in Southeast Asia and smoke blunts all day, thats his choice. However, the least the man could have done was give Dolphins management adequate time to find a replacement. Had Ricky let the team know last week, they could have made a move for Eddie George or A.Smith. By waiting until five days before the start of training camp, he left my Fins high and dry. Ricky Williams = a real class act.

I'm not critical of Williams' decision to leave football...his life, his choice, etc. But it remains to be seen if he'll stay out of football. Right now I'd say it's even money he doesn't try for a "comeback" in a couple of years.

I mean, really. Did you hear his interview? He might go back to school? Yes, that will last until he realizes his passing grade at Texas was because he was a football player, and not some scholar-type.

So good luck to the guy. But I'm betting he'll try for a Jordan within 3 years.

It sounds like a rash decision, and my suspicion is he'll be back. A year off to travel is a good idea ... and may be a good maturing process for him.

Still, to keep things in perspective, this man is quitting the job of running back in the NFL. This is the guy who carries the ball, the one that the 11 world-class athletes on the other team are trying to kill, and he only gets 10 world-class athletes on his side. It's gotta be a lonely, punishing job. I can't blame anyone for not wanting to do that.

OK. I have to chime in here. First of all, I am not opposed to Ricky making a decision to quit football. Its his right and its his life. More power to him.

That said, i think he is an irresponsible crybaby. First, he is letting down his teammates. He is letting down his team. He is letting down his coaches and friends. Ricky is the man the Dolphins based their ENTIRE offense on. He knows it as well as everyone else that follows football. If he was considering retiring before, the absolute least he could have done was tell his coaches so that his team would not be left in shamble just 5 days prior to the start of training camp. A replacement could have been found or other measures could have been taken.

Sorry, Ricky Williams is a selfish, irresponsible asshole.

Here is a good take on it Link

Ricky "crybaby bitch" Williams has always made me sick since entering the NFL. Yes, he was a powerful strong runner in college. The shit he made everyone go through was pathetic, even Keyshawn is more of a team player. When playing football you realize it's a team sport, not one man. Forget Leon get RW when his stupid ass gets back from Asia to do commercials. Sorry, talking about him makes me sick. I hope terrorists capture him and cut off his head. How dare he disprect the game of football like this. You want a real man with heart look at Eddie George. That's a real Heisman winner.

"I hope terrorists capture him and cut off his head,"

That's a ridiculous/disturbing thing to say. It's football, for Pete's sake.

Look sports aint life! This man doesnt owe anyone shit except for himself! He has never hurt anybody. He just wants to roam the earth and take in life! Like fuckin sports is about heart anymore anyways pff! its all about money now. Theres no more team dedication! So what difference does it make. Blaze one up for freedom and fuck your greed prison machine you mother fuckers! rock on ricky!

Val adds a good point. Yeah, I can see not doing it, but you also have a responsibility not to leave people hanging out to dry. Which he did. So, yeah, if he wants to quit, more power to him, but he should've given others a heads-up and fulfilled his existing contractual responsibilities first.

Its like this it is his life to do what he wants too. I think he could have given a better notice then 5 days but, thats that. Put yourself in his shoes, he is walking away from millions of dollars to see the world and find some inner peace which he did not have while playing football. Football is just a game and doesnt make the world go around. Everyone is over paid in sports so its great to see someone walk away from all of it. ALot of people are pissed because of there greed, of making money off of Rickey. Now he is just Rickey Williams, not Rickey Williams the star running back in the NFL. Rock on Rickey from a fellow San Diegan.....

I am Dolphins fan, always have been...I was kinda shocked about the decision to retire, I thought there was more to it then what was being said. Oh well, back to not having a running game again...
fugg it...

Rickey is a real man. I love football, the Dolphins, and most of all Rickey. Who knowns the truth about why he left but him and the good Lord.Forget them all Rickey.Come back to Miami and get me to travel with you. I will always love and accept you whether you playing ball or traveling, or going to school.