Dolphins RB Williams violates NFL drug policy

Yahoo! ^

[Lunatic Fringe]

MIAMI (Ticker) - Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams apparently is in trouble with the NFL again.

The Miami Herald reported on its web site Sunday night that Williams faces at least a one-year suspension from the NFL after testing positive for drug use a fourth time under the league's substance abuse policy.

According to the report, two sources confirmed a report by WSVN-TV that Williams had failed the test, although neither would say the substance he used. Williams had tested positive in the past for marijuana use.

After stunning the football world by announcing his retirement during training camp in July 2004, Williams returned to the NFL this past season and rushed for 743 yards and six touchdowns.

Williams missed the first four games of the season and was fined for the second and third violations of the substance abuse program. Those positive tests reportedly occurred in December 2003 and in the 2004 offseason.

Known for his interesting and complex nature off the field, Williams has rushed for 7,097 yards in six seasons since being picked fifth overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1999. The Saints traded eight picks to the Washington Redskins for the right to select the former Heisman Trophy winner.

In 1999, Williams' professional career also started in odd fashion when his eight-year contract was negotiated by rapper Master P's agency. The deal contained large incentives but low base salaries, including just $350,000 as a rookie.

[Lunatic Fringe]

What a jerk.

[TravisBickle]

Gee, I never would have imagined that in my wildest dreams. Ricky Williams smokes pot! SHAZAM!

[YanksGiants2000]

He's an idiot.

[Red Badger]

Pot is hardly a performance enhancer.........

[Echo Talon]

Nobody saw that coming! LOL

[SmoothTalker]

A real shocker.

[in hoc signo vinces]

He's just training to be on the surreal life #47.

[RedCell]

Is anyone really surprised by this? I think this is less about the typical above-the-law mentality of a lot of pro athletes and more about Ricky setting his priorities for Ricky.

[george76]

Shocked. Who would have known.

A fourth time. Wow.

[TravisBickle]

I know it's illegal and all that, but I don't think they should test for pot. If they get arrested for possession, that's one thing, but these guys are just trying to ease the pain a little.

Granted, Ricky is a whole different story. But smoking pot does not give a player an advantage. And I'd be really surprised if Ricky played while high.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

PING

FReepmail scott says to get on or off this ping list.

[bigsigh]

fourth time is a one-year suspension......ooooooooooooh.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

He's leaving $$$ million dollars on the table so he can go off and smoke dope!

That's what I call Reefer Madness!

[b4its2late]

That he is.....

[laceybrookesdad]

"That's what I call Reefer Madness!"

That' what I would call true addict behavior. Willing or risking to throw it all away for the next high! Williams needs to admit he's an addict and enter a drug rehabilitation center.

[CFC__VRWC]

Known for his interesting and complex nature off the field,

The new, PC description of what we used to call a "pothead", I guess.

[Dashing Dasher]

I'm Shocked!

SHOCKED, I tell you!

[MikefromOhio]

but these guys are just trying to ease the pain a little.

It's one thing if Ricky Williams had said that. It's quite another to do what he has done. Gee Pot has NEVER hurt anyone. Now tell me WHERE is he going to get the $8 Million judgement that he owes the Dolphins?

[Dashing Dasher]

Rules are rules. If you don't want to play within their rules - don't play.

[cardinal4]

Now tell me WHERE is he going to get the $8 Million judgement that he owes the Dolphins?

Where is he going to get the money for child support?

[MikefromOhio]

I wasn't aware he had any child support owed.....

at least, it's not where I can find it easily....

[TravisBickle]

Yes, I agree that Ricky's situation was a bit different. He had a lot of reason to stay away from pot. And actually, all the NFL players know that smoking pot will endanger their career. With those facts, they should stay away from it.

My point, though, is that since pot does not enhance performance, and is unlikely to be used during a game, that the NFL shouldn't test for it, and should let the police handle whoever gets caught. There's a lot of illegal things that the NFL does not test for- I think pot ought to be one of those things.

But, yes, I agree that given that the rules include testing- from a practical standpoint- Ricky needs to retire the pipe or retire from football. Again.

[darkangel82]

And I'd be really surprised if Ricky played while high.

I;d be surprised if he played again at all.

[newgeezer]

What a jerk.

T.O. is a "jerk." Ricky rates at least a "dumbsh*t." ;)

[Rightly Biased]

Not so much a jerk.... but really stupid.... yes

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

According to ESPN, "the drug for which Williams was said to have tested positive was not marijuana." Link here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2337598

Sounds like Ricky has moved on from the green stuff to the white stuff. If you think he was screwed up before, you ain't seen nothin' yet!

[The Foolkiller]

This guy's a moron. He deserves to have his career ended, if that's what happens. He actually thought they wouldn't be laying for him?

[chief_bigfoot]

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