Bye Bye Ricky
It's official. ESPN is reporting that Ricky Williams will be suspended for the entire 2006 season because of a fourth drug violation. This probably means he's played his last game as a Miami Dolphin, as they have already started working Ronnie Brown for a year anyway. It may very well mean that he will never play in an NFL game again (for real this time, not like two years ago). If so, it may be one of the saddest stories of a professional athlete squandering his talent. When a player doesn't reach his potential because of apathy, contract holdouts, or battles with the law, it is disappointing. However in those situations the blame is almost entirely on the player because, for lack of a better term, he is a jerk. Ricky's battle with social anxiety has been well documented and highly publicized since moving to the Dolphins. I'm not excusing his behavior, nor am I saying that anyone with social anxiety will have drug problems, but I am saying he's had it pretty tough. Anyway, a number of people have asked me as a Dolphins fans how I felt towards Ricky since the retiring thing and everything else. That's basically it, I feel bad for him.
On less depressing notes, what happens to him and the Dolphins now? I believe that the collective bargaining agreement says that you can't be cut while suspended for a drug violation. I also don't think anyone has ever been suspended for an entire season before (Ron Artest recently was the remainder of a season). Does he still play in the preseason? Does he have to go at least sit on the sidelines for the four preseason games? Can you say "awkward"?
Also, they are still saying that this violation was not because of marijuana. Quick! Everyone start wildly speculating on what crazy drugs he was doing this time! Heroine? Diet Pills? Poppy seed bagels like that Seinfeld episode? Too much Red Bull?
...
One slight correction the morning after as I read and watch all the news coming out. Ricky's battle with social anxiety has been well documented, but not at all highly publicized. I'm reading articles today that take pot shots at Ricky for studying yoga in India and studying hollistic medicine, and they are willing to give every detail of his life and quote everyone they can find with a mic. But no article that I've seen today has at all mentioned his social anxiety.
Honestly, I think it's just another way that the NFL is trying to protect it's masculine image, because real men don't have psychological problems. Real men suck it up and play football every sunday (HUGE sarcasm there if you didn't get that).
...
One more edit: a story came out today about Onterrio Smith, who we all remember was suspended for all of last season as a result of a drug violation (remember, the "Whizzinator" scandal?) This is why I would never take a research job.
On less depressing notes, what happens to him and the Dolphins now? I believe that the collective bargaining agreement says that you can't be cut while suspended for a drug violation. I also don't think anyone has ever been suspended for an entire season before (Ron Artest recently was the remainder of a season). Does he still play in the preseason? Does he have to go at least sit on the sidelines for the four preseason games? Can you say "awkward"?
Also, they are still saying that this violation was not because of marijuana. Quick! Everyone start wildly speculating on what crazy drugs he was doing this time! Heroine? Diet Pills? Poppy seed bagels like that Seinfeld episode? Too much Red Bull?
...
One slight correction the morning after as I read and watch all the news coming out. Ricky's battle with social anxiety has been well documented, but not at all highly publicized. I'm reading articles today that take pot shots at Ricky for studying yoga in India and studying hollistic medicine, and they are willing to give every detail of his life and quote everyone they can find with a mic. But no article that I've seen today has at all mentioned his social anxiety.
Honestly, I think it's just another way that the NFL is trying to protect it's masculine image, because real men don't have psychological problems. Real men suck it up and play football every sunday (HUGE sarcasm there if you didn't get that).
...
One more edit: a story came out today about Onterrio Smith, who we all remember was suspended for all of last season as a result of a drug violation (remember, the "Whizzinator" scandal?) This is why I would never take a research job.
posted by Mike Oliver at 8:16 PM
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