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Williams says he failed third drug test before quitting
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Associated Press
Posted: 2 minutes ago



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 retirement and that 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."

Dolphins spokesman Neal Gulkis and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment Thursday when reached by The Associated Press.

Williams told the newspaper that he is not addicted to marijuana.

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.

Every time I hear about this, I have a mixed reaction.

I'm furious that a) he's a hippie, and b) he's a great RB leaving the league well before his time due to stupid f#%$ing reasons.

However, at the same time I'm a bit excited, because now it opens the doors to other RBs getting some more limelight, and it'll showcase Miami's horrible... eh, I mean "remarkable" (just for any Miami fans)... offensive talent outside of the running game.

*cough* Non-existent *cough*

Jay Fiedler's 2003 season:

2138 passing yds - 6th worst in league
72.4 passer rating - 8th worst in league
11 TD passes - tied for 5th worst in league
4 lost fumbles, 13 interceptions, etc...

And he only started 12 games!! Just think of how much worse he could've been if he'd started the whole season and reached his full horrible potential!!!

“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.” Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Eh, personally i don't see why the NFL even tests for pot. Baseball and Basketball don't. Hockey doesn't drug test at all.

I think it's stupid. Pot is HARDLY a physically enhancing drug.

It is a laziness enhancing drug though....lol.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction"

Ronald Reagan

Hey, to each his own...You have to do what makes you happy in life, smoking some ganja in Jamaica sounds better than getting drilled by Brian Urlacher on a cold sunday afternoon...At least Ricky got a chance to showcase his ability for a whole season. Just think what kind of numbers Bo Jackson would have put up, had he stayed healthy and decided to quit baseball. A.J. Feeley will be the starter in Miami at QB, the fins have invested to much in him to stick with Fiedler.



Edited by - chadrewsky on Jul 29 2004 11:26 AM

Ah, another ex-eagle retread eh?

LOL, you go dolphins. <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction"

Ronald Reagan

But you know the da man, is taking notes and is gonna have a dog waiting for him at customs lol.