Posted on 07/29/2004 11:42:46 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
MIAMI (AP) -- Retired Dolphins running back Ricky Williams said he failed a third drug test for marijuana use, which would cost him a four-game suspension if he decides to return to the NFL, The Miami Herald reported on its Web site Thursday.
Williams told the newspaper that marijuana played a larger role in his retirement than he indicated when he walked away after just five pro seasons. He said he learned of the failed test and possible suspension days before telling coach Dave Wannstedt last week that he was through playing.
Williams said, however, that there were ``a hundred reasons'' for his surprising decision to retire, and his desire to continue smoking marijuana was only one of them.
``I didn't quit football because I failed a drug test,'' he told the Herald. ``I failed a drug test because I was ready to quit football.''
Williams said he's not addicted to marijuana.
Coach Dave Wannstedt said the Dolphins have received no notification from the NFL regarding a third failed drug test, and Williams' latest revelation caught them by surprise.
``We knew nothing about it,'' Wannstedt said. ``I'm totally surprised and shocked again.''
Wannstedt said he's eager to move beyond the Williams situation and open training camp Saturday.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment when reached by The Associated Press.
In May, three South Florida newspapers quoted unidentified sources saying Williams tested positive for marijuana and faced a fine of at least $650,000 for violating the substance-abuse policy for the second time since joining the Dolphins in 2002.
He told the Herald for Thursday's story that he already decided to quit football before that second positive test. He appealed that fine, but received word last week that his appeal had been denied, the Herald reported.
While the appeal was pending, Williams said, he continued smoking marijuana during a trip to Europe and failed a third test upon his return.
He said he had been using a masking agent to cleanse his system while being randomly tested for two seasons but he didn't do that before the last test.
Williams first failed a drug test soon after arriving in Miami in 2002, the Herald reported. He spent much of his two seasons with the Dolphins in the league's drug program, seeing a therapist weekly and taking eight to 10 random urine tests a month, the story said.
Williams suffers from social-anxiety disorder and was a spokesman for the anti-depressant Paxil. He said marijuana helped him once he had to stop using Paxil because it didn't agree with his diet.
Williams played three seasons for New Orleans but didn't blossom until he was dealt to the Dolphins in 2002 for two first-round draft picks.
At times, Miami's biggest trade since 1970 looked like a steal. Williams led the NFL in 2002 with 1,853 yards rushing and broke nine team records. Last season he ran for 1,372 yards despite little offensive support.
Sad.
He didn't know he had been smoking pot?
Million-dollar talent, ninety-eight cent brain. As we say down here, "that boy ain't right."
Still, it's his right to do with his career what he wishes (and accept the consequences for his actions). And it's not like he hasn't already made enough money to keep himself in hippie lettuce for the rest of his life!
}:-)4
What a MAROON!
Wow, man...that's like, so...DEEP, bro...(cough, cough)...you are OUT THERE...in the ETHER, bro...
If he was originally a college football player, he probably just assumed that someone was taking the test for him...
More evidence that Williams is a doper.
Why does the NFL waste it's time testing for non-performance enhancing drugs?
I suspect it's the weightiest one. How difficult is it to put down the spliff for just a few more seasons while honoring your contract and earning a place among the most elite RB's in the history of the sport. .....while pocketing suitcases full of jack in the process?
Too difficult, evidently.
I'm shocked, just shocked!
The team is expected to claim part of their advance money back...so ole Ricky is probably going to be half-way broke by Xmas. Most players rarely invest their money...and its totally dependent upon the agent to talk them into real estate or business partnerships. I doubt Ricky was that smart...so you will likely see him as a pro wreastler by summer 05.
Did you type that with a joint hanging out of your mouth or were you between tokes?
I suspect it's the weightiest one. How difficult is it to put down the spliff for just a few more seasons while honoring your contract and earning a place among the most elite RB's in the history of the sport. .....while pocketing suitcases full of jack in the process?
Too difficult, evidently.
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