11/05/24
August 09, 2005
Ricky Williams: 'I Never Really Was Away: OK , Red flag here NFL hierarchy ..... ``It doesn't seem like I was gone, not even a week,'' the former NFL rushing king said. ``Everywhere I go, I hear 'Welcome back.' But everywhere I have been, I have always been with myself. I'm with myself now more than ever. ``It's funny people say 'Welcome back' when I haven't gone anywhere.'' Ricky ,you were gone . Check the record books , ask your teammates you stabbed in the back if you were gone . Sounds like Ricky needs a drug test already .
posted by evil empire to football at 01:27 PM - 31 comments
If there's enough interest, I can run a series of spacebar-usage lessons in the locker room.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:03 PM on August 09, 2005
See, I don't understand why we get in this guy's face for doing what he wants to do. He left, he said he'd like to come back and the team said sure. We constantly decrie players and athletes that simply toe the line, spout the cliches and generally act like automatons, but than blast the guys that absolutely are their own man and really don't need the game as much as you or I would were we in their shoes. So he's a flake. I don't see the harm to him or his teammates. Though I wouldn't blame them for waiting for the other shoe to drop - however, the thing with Ricky and T.O. (to illustrate another problem child) is they produce at a very high level.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:05 PM on August 09, 2005
I don't have a problem with Ricky being a flake, Weedy. In fact i think people who are a little different are actually good for sports. The problem and difference between a T.O., Manny Ramirez and Ricky is for all of T.O.'s distractions and Manny being Manny, is they never left their teams hanging and quit on them at the last minute without much of an explanation. that IS harmful to his teammates! In a team sport setting that is the ultimate betrayal. In an individual sport it's no-harm-no-foul.
posted by gr8czrsgost at 02:20 PM on August 09, 2005
I agree. The more he talks, the more I like him. Better this than the usual string of Nuke-Laloosh-style cliches you hear everywhere else. If he can get back to cranking out 4 yards a carry someplace, he could become the next Spaceman Lee. And we could sure use another one of him.
posted by chicobangs at 02:58 PM on August 09, 2005
Of course Weedy McSmokey would be on Ricky's side. Sheesh. Lemme know when Officer Smackup DaHippies chimes in. /kidding, of course
posted by mr_crash_davis at 03:07 PM on August 09, 2005
Dr. John could you add punctuation and grammar to the curriculum? Jesus H. Christ in knee-high socks! Back OT, does the NFL have an "All Interview Team" like the NBA? Ricky would be a shoo-in. It took a year away from the game but he seems to be at peace with himself, at least thats what I take from his comments. He knows that he is wired different, and he embraces that rather than fighting it.
"My passion for football will never go away,'' he said. "My coming back is more about a passion for life. But to be controlled by your passions, you are not going to be a very happy person. You are going to be running around chasing it. I'll try to keep my passion in balance.''
Ricky is on some Kung-Fu shit right there.
Good luck Ricky.
posted by lilnemo at 03:29 PM on August 09, 2005
If he wasn't away, where the hell was he?
posted by dbt302 at 04:02 PM on August 09, 2005
Naw, see, it was us who were away. Look at this from inside Rocky's head. We left his world, and now we're all back. Hi, Ricky!
posted by chicobangs at 04:05 PM on August 09, 2005
I DON'T CARE WHAT ANBODY SAYS, I'LL TAKE HIM ON MY FANTASY TEAM. HE SOUNDS PRETTY FOCUSED OF FOOTBALL NOW. IF FOR NOTHING ELSE, I'LL TAKE HIM FOR THE CRAZY HIPPIE BEARD.
posted by tb_mitchell at 04:05 PM on August 09, 2005
Untill he screws up again, if ever, I say lets leave him alone.
posted by daddisamm at 04:12 PM on August 09, 2005
IS IT ME OR DOES RICKY LOOK LIKE EARL CAMPBELL WITH THE BEARD? I'D LIKE TO SEE ANOTHER EARL IN THIS "LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINIARY EGOS". NOBODY COULD COME CLOSE HIS ABILITY OR CLASS BUT ONE CAN HOPE.
posted by tb_mitchell at 04:20 PM on August 09, 2005
OMFG RICKY LOOKS LIKE EARL CAMPBELL!! HEY, BEYONCE HAS LEGS LIKE EARL CAMPBELL BUT IM NOT SURE IF SHE COULD GAIN MORE THAN SAY, 300 YARDS IN A GIVEN SEASON. ALL THOUGH, IF SHE HAD A GOOD LINE, OR A CHEATING LINE WHO LIKE TO CUT BLOCK LIKE THE BRONCOS, SHE COULD CONCEIVABLY HIT THE 500 YARD MARK. THIS IS ASSUMING OF COURSE THAT JAKE PLUMMER'S BEARD MAKES A RETURN TO NEIL FALLON FORM, AND THAT SHANAHAN DOESN'T WUSS OUT ON HAVING A FEMALE TAILBACK PLAY THE MAJORITY OF THE DOWNS. COME ON MIKE, YOU PANSY ASS! DO IT! YOU THINK YOUR SYSTEM IS SO GOOD! PROVE IT! PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR ELF-LIKE MOUTH IS! SAY WHAT YOU WILL ABOUT THAT PATRICK LADY BUT I WOULD FIND THIS EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE. ahem. sorry. I AM THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED THAT YOU HAVE CONTROL OF YOUR SPACEBAR AND A GRASP FOR PUNCTUATION. BUT PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CAPS LOCK. -MANAGEMENT
posted by lilnemo at 04:36 PM on August 09, 2005
posted by mr_crash_davis at 04:37 PM on August 09, 2005
*high-fives lilnemo*
posted by mr_crash_davis at 04:38 PM on August 09, 2005
lilnemo give me biglaugh.
posted by chicobangs at 04:38 PM on August 09, 2005
* returns crashes five * * misses horribly * * avoids falling into equipment basket full of jockstraps *
posted by lilnemo at 04:51 PM on August 09, 2005
chicobangs give me bigger laugh than chicobangs had!
posted by tommysands at 05:09 PM on August 09, 2005
I don't know the rules, but let me ask you this. Ricky was being sued to return his signing bonus money. I think it was 8 million or so. Ricky says it's already gone. So if Ricky tests positive for drugs, he loses his paycheck, gets fines and has to sit out. But even if he gets suspended permanantly, as long as he was WILLING to play, and TRYING to play, will he have to return the signing bonus? Other than retiring, what else allows a team to pull the signing bonus?
posted by scuubie at 05:17 PM on August 09, 2005
Why persecute Ricky? Because he openly confesses to using marijawana? Some might say this guy is nuts but I think he is his own man. He should have to pay his bonus back because he quit. But he decided to rectify his mistake and play again. Is that so bad? Lets give the guy a break. I wonder how we would all like it if the media snooped in our lives and posted info on our mistakes for all to judge? I think he does have class!
posted by panteeze at 05:38 PM on August 09, 2005
I am firmly ensconced aboard the Ricky Williams' bandwagon and will remain here regardless of the results of the upcoming season. I come for the comedy, but I stay because of how small-minded he makes sportswriters look. It's amazing how many members of the Fourth Estate turn into raving Facists in response to Ricky's teachings.
posted by yerfatma at 05:53 PM on August 09, 2005
Well, I suppose we should give Ricky another chance. I hope he learned his lesson: Bills don't pay themselves Ricky.
posted by tina at 05:53 PM on August 09, 2005
When Ricky "retired" he did so thinking he had 8.5 million in his bank account . Miami said no play, no pay so stick that in your pipe and smoke it . Oops , Rickey has no money now . Suddenly he had a change of heart and wants to play for the minimum , but maybe would get his bonus back . Last night during the game they said the bonus grievance was on hold .
posted by evil empire at 06:12 PM on August 09, 2005
I'll make a comment on his playing ability, for once. I think this year is critical for Ricky, because he needs to prove he can play still. His last year of playing was cut short by injuries, and with his playing style, you never know how much damage has been inflicted all ready. He could have been worn down pretty hard all ready from all the carries and yards. I think being the number two will be the best thing for him, cause I'm not sure he would have lasted that long otherwise. He may now be able to avoid the Earl Campbell route of being a twisted, useless, mess of a human post-career.
posted by Bonkers at 08:12 PM on August 09, 2005
As Rickey said last night He needs carries to get warmed up. I had hoped that he would have gotten 15 carries or so. In the second half there were some pretty big holes opened up and I think Rickey would broken a long run if he had been in there. He needs it for his confidence.
posted by hankkh at 09:38 PM on August 09, 2005
The more he talks, the more I like him. I agree.
posted by danostuporstar at 09:42 PM on August 09, 2005
That was a great interview. What other pro sports meathead talks about Yoga and inner piece? Hell, he even had a good answer when asked "are you only coming back because of the $8.5 million the arbitrator said you'd have to pay back?" Go Ricky.
posted by fabulon7 at 08:01 AM on August 10, 2005
Well, if the Dolphins feel that he's OK to come back, I think we all should. After all, it's not like the guy is untradable. If he is a leacherous pimple on the ass of pure team sports than I would be surprised to see the team he quit on take him back.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:39 AM on August 10, 2005
As a lifelong Phins fan, I can say that I cursed Ricky's name all last season long; I didn't like to, because I genuinely liked him as a player and as a person, but what he did ripped the heart out of my team right in front of me. Of course, my feelings mean nothing next to Ricky's family, friends, and teammates. Now all those people seem okay with him coming back, so I feel okay about him coming back. He stood up and apologized to his teammates, was (from what I've heard) somewhat eloquent and humble, and even the most vocal critics of what he did last year have reversed their field and now speak of his potential as a teammate again. Let the healing begin, and in week five of the season, let the two-headed rushing attack be unleashed. Release the hounds!!
posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:28 AM on August 10, 2005
Isn't there still the problem of the zero-headed passing attack? And the old folks' home playing defense?
posted by yerfatma at 12:08 PM on August 10, 2005
Now that's just mean...between the two of 'em, Frerotte and Feeley have one good cranium...I think. I hope, anyway. And nobody uses a walker to establish pursuit angles like Zach Thomas, so there!
posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:44 PM on August 10, 2005
maybe he can be the NFL version of a talented, misunderstood player in another sport and say, "That's just Ricky being Ricky"