Ricky Williams Did Not, I Repeat, Did Not Smoke Pot During Dolphins' Bye Week

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Let's be honest here, Ricky Williams likes him some pot. Like many people enjoy chocolate or caffeine or heroin in the morning, Ricky likes to smoke a little and relax. That's his thing, and it hasn't worked out so well for him in the past.

That is why you have to be a little surprised (and impressed) when you hear that even though he felt the urge to sit back with a baggy and a bong, he didn't during the Dolphins bye week.

"Thursday, coach told us we had Friday off, so automatically your mind, which is so constrained since training camp began -- every day is a grind, it's a grind, it's a grind -- and then Coach says `you're free.' And the mind says, `I'm free, what can I do?'

``So there was definitely an urge. But I just thought about what I have to lose and it was easy. The urge didn't last very long.''

Hey, good for Williams. Obviously his addiction is pretty serious and he hasn't been able to break it in years past, leading him to quit football and get himself in some financial troubles with the Dolphins. Seriously, you have to be pretty high to consider it a good idea to "retire" from the NFL and move on to the Canadian Football League.

Also, as much as this is will power, the guy is getting tested nine times per month, randomly, so it isn't like he can puff-puff-pass a test if he does hit the hay. Ricky is averaging a respectable 4.1 yards per carry (almost 4.20 yards, ironic!) and although he's splitting time with Ronnie Brown, is still a factor in the Dolphins offense and hopefully can someday be the runner he was in Austin, Texas.

Williams has always seemed a little "to himself" and now finds meditation as fulfilling as marijuana.

"I realize that I really enjoy meditating and when I can go home and sit in my room and meditate, I can get the same feeling," Williams said.

So, what about all the South Beach drug dealers losing a little business by this change of heart? No worries, Ricky said, pretty honestly, that he will never say never when it comes to smoking.

"I'd be lying if I said I'm never going to do it again after I'm done. I don't know. I don't spend much time thinking about it.''

Well, honestly, nice job on breaking the habit Ricky. It's more than a lot of us can say about our vices.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

9-30-2008 @ 1:36PM

paul said...

SO WHAT! HE LIKES TO SMOKE. THE WHOLE WORLD SHOULD BE STONED ONCE IN A WHILE. THERE WOULD BE A WHOLE LOT LESS VIOLANCE. AND PEOPLE WOULD SURE DRIVE SLOWER.

9-30-2008 @ 1:59PM

Frederick said...

Amen to that

I rather deal with a pothead then an alcoolic any day.

10-01-2008 @ 8:09AM

quebec said...

Hang in there Ricky. Herb is the healing of the nations, I know - but if it gets in the way of making a living what can you do.
Going to Canada isn't a bad thing, it's just that the money isn't enough.
I think all this testing of Ricky is stupid.

10-01-2008 @ 7:42AM

joe said...

Your comment may be well intended and you are entitled to your opinion. But obviously the smoke hasn't helped your spelling or maybe spellcheck was out of order.

9-30-2008 @ 3:47PM

D said...

What an uninformed person this reporter is. How about doing some REAL research! Prohibition did not work for alcohol, and it has and will not work with the "war on drugs". If our government had not wasted all our tax money on "fighting" Mary Jane, maybe we wouldnt be in the economic crisis we are in. US gov has spent over a TRILLION dollars on it, so that $700B bailout would have been paid for. Lastly, go read how MJ does no chromozone damage to the body when compared to alcohol, caffine, nicotine, all of which are LEGAL! Oh wait, thats right it was the CIA and DEA that smuggled most the drugs in here to begin with.....Iran Contra? RESEARCH YOU IDIOT!!

10-01-2008 @ 8:16AM

Herb should be sold by the government. It wouldn't
take long to give Wall street their 800 billion. Forget about
drilling, let's start growing.
Sarah Palin smoked some Herb, I hear.

9-30-2008 @ 10:09PM

Nathan said...

Have to say that with him coming out and admitting his desire to light up and not do so was very mature and responsable. If what is true that he is getting tested 9 times a month for "pot" why would he jeperdise his job and family for it. Heck he just signed and 1yr. extention for the Miami Dolphins to keep playing for them. So on final thought on this is way to go Ricky way to go.

9-30-2008 @ 10:12PM

pete said...

screw the establishment ... this guy "smokes" ON and OFF the field !!!!

9-30-2008 @ 10:13PM

StoneWall said...

Ditto! Killer unbiased reporting!! This guy is a perfect example of the conservative a.k.a uninformed point of view on the issue. Poking fun at his yard per carry average with a 4/20 reference? How old are you sir? And how many NFL carries does Shane Bacon have exactly....?

10-02-2008 @ 9:34AM

jwuana said...

god bless him and i will keep him my prayers and remember the devil is busy

10-01-2008 @ 8:17AM

Yeah, John Riggins average gain was 3.1.
Sure, Ricky was really great some years ago but he is still playing today.
Running backs just don't last.

9-30-2008 @ 10:15PM

carol said...

assholes, rules are freakin rules, break them, pay consequences.nough said.

10-01-2008 @ 8:14AM

Bob Dylan said: The masters make the rules
for both the wise men and the fools.

Besides that, smoking Herb makes one smarter
and probably makes Ricky a better photographer.

10-01-2008 @ 7:38AM

tt said...

Just because there are rules, it does not make them right or an obligation to every person.

Smoking pot for many people has become an individual thing that people do to relax, just like smoking a cigarette.

9-30-2008 @ 10:36PM

Murray said...

What the hell is wrong with you Shane? You mention coffee and chocolate. Let's add beer or your choice of alcoholic beverage (I'm guessing in your case it might have an umbrella in it) and there are people who can NOT by any means give those up. Know any smokers? Marijuana "addiction" is the least of anyone's worries. I'm pretty sure that there aren't any junkies robbing gas stations for cheetos and killing the attendant. Moreso, I'm equally certain that marijuana doesn't improve performance. Who the hell cares if Ricky does a bong?
The Dolphins would only be concerned that he might end up too laid back and stop short of the goal line. The solution? A bag of Cheetos on the other side of said goal line. Problem solved. Get a life Shane. By the way, I have an addiction to bacon but just not your kind. Putz.

9-30-2008 @ 10:38PM

Harvey said...

Since when did rational people with coherent opinions start posting on AOL, did I miss a memo? The money wasted on "drug" enforcement involving Marijuana is a tragedy, but far worse is the devastation it causes to peoples lives, families, careers, and schooling when they are arrested, and sent to jail. Get the government out of our personal lives, and back to doing what it should be doing; protecting are individual rights and freedoms as guaranteed in the constitution.

9-30-2008 @ 10:39PM

chuck said...

every one knows that canabus is a good pain reliver even better the indica type. what i dont understand is why it isnot indorsted that why? if it werenot for legal betting the sport would have a hard time staying in business anyway. as long as what the player is playing there is a fan! if it dont kill you quick than than its like smagg. live a little.

10-01-2008 @ 2:04AM

chris said...

your comment looks like you have been smoking a little too much pot and killing your brain cells!

9-30-2008 @ 10:52PM

9-30-2008 @ 11:03PM

BIlleve said...

for once a man choose to do something that makes him happy above money and all we care about is its a illegal fine . marijuana should be legal up to a limit . As in Denver . why deprive people of happiness if it doesnt hurt anybody