Ricky Williams Retires

While you may want to admire him for his decision, the timing of his decision -- one week before camp -- leaves much to be desired.

His last minute decision is selfish to the nth degree without regard to the fans, to his employer and to his teammates who were counting on him.

 

"For who? For what?"
(Ricky Williams in one of his early games for the Eagles after muffing a easy pass).

Ricky Williams has always been for Ricky Williams and no one else.

Rob

 

I suppose you mean "against" the Eagles, since Ricky Williams has never played "for" them.

I am not aware of any type of situation like this since Ricky has been with the Dolphins. In fact, his body has taken some blows over the past two years with depleted offensive line.

In this situation though, Ricky is for Ricky with zero thoughts towards his team.

 

You're sure right!
I was thinkin' of Ricky Waters

Rob

 

Is Ricky Williams a Baptist? Perhaps he is related to Roger Williams! Maybe that would explain his separatistic tendencies.

 

I always wonder about athletes who leave and talk about how free they feel aftewards. Williams did this. Eric Crouch did this when he didn't want to play WR (although his "retirement" has been embarassing to watch.)

I have to agree, a week before camp is absolutely terrible, perhaps the only time worse would be the week before the super bowl (assuming you are in the super bowl at the time).

 

It seems that there may have been another reason Ricky Williams quit though he denies it was the main reason.

FOX SPORTS LINK: Williams says he failed third drug test before quitting

 

As a former semipro fullback/linebacker, I can sympathize with Ricky just a little. But his TIMING was pure selfishness. And, I tend to believe that his drug use had at least SOMETHING to do with it.

Shoot, I played just because I loved to play, and I played until my body said, "Enuff, already!" But, I'm me, and Ricky is Ricky.

I wonder if the death of his friend, Doak Walker, had anything to do with it? He and Ricky were very close when Ricky's pro career began. And Doak had retired after only 6 years and 2 NFL titles.


Barry Sanders basically did the same thing, although there was no problems with drugs in his life. Barry became disgusted with the Lions' management because he didn't believe they were committed to building a winning team.

Jim Brown quit at the height of his career, but his timing was better for the welfare of his team & his fans. And he had Leroy Kelly & Ernie Green ready to take his place.

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There is already talk that Ricky will be a Raider in '05. Most misfits and castoffs in the league end up there sooner or later and flourish in that environment. A few examples: George Blanda, Ted Hendricks, Bubba Smith, Billy Cannon, Lyle Alzado, Jim Plunkett, Ronnie Lott, Mike Haynes, Rich Gannon and Jerry Rice. Ricky would be a natural there.