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07-19-2005, 10:09 PM
Williams cleared to report Sunday to Dolphins
By STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer
July 19, 2005
MIAMI (AP) -- Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has been cleared by the NFL to report Sunday with the rest of the team for the start of training camp, a year and a day after he abruptly retired.
The league's 2002 rushing champion decided to seek reinstatement after sitting out last season. He still faces a four-game suspension at the start of the season for violating the NFL substance abuse program.
``We've taken the steps necessary to ensure an on-time arrival, and he's excited about rejoining his team,'' said Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg.
The NFL cleared Williams to report on the first day of camp without incurring a further violation of the drug program, league spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday. Williams acknowledged shortly after retiring that he failed drug tests and faced a suspension for testing positive three times for marijuana.
Steinberg said Williams studied holistic medicine at a school in northern California from October to April and finished the first year of a three-year program, then spent April at a yoga center in India and became certified as an instructor.
``Both emphasize natural methods of healing and are opposed to the use of drugs and alcohol to alter consciousness,'' Steinberg said.
After retiring, Williams lost more than 20 pounds on a vegetarian diet. Steinberg said his weight is back above 215, still below his listed weight of 226 on the 2004 preseason roster.
Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons with the Dolphins. He informed coach Dave Wannstedt of his retirement plans last July 23, one week before the start of training camp.
A court later found the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner in breach of contract by retiring, and ordered him to repay the team $8.6 million. The team has not yet sought to collect the settlement, and new coach Nick Saban offered Williams another chance to play for the Dolphins, who begin workouts Monday.
``Ricky and coach Saban seem to have established a very good rapport in the past several months,'' Steinberg said.
By STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer
July 19, 2005
MIAMI (AP) -- Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has been cleared by the NFL to report Sunday with the rest of the team for the start of training camp, a year and a day after he abruptly retired.
The league's 2002 rushing champion decided to seek reinstatement after sitting out last season. He still faces a four-game suspension at the start of the season for violating the NFL substance abuse program.
``We've taken the steps necessary to ensure an on-time arrival, and he's excited about rejoining his team,'' said Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg.
The NFL cleared Williams to report on the first day of camp without incurring a further violation of the drug program, league spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday. Williams acknowledged shortly after retiring that he failed drug tests and faced a suspension for testing positive three times for marijuana.
Steinberg said Williams studied holistic medicine at a school in northern California from October to April and finished the first year of a three-year program, then spent April at a yoga center in India and became certified as an instructor.
``Both emphasize natural methods of healing and are opposed to the use of drugs and alcohol to alter consciousness,'' Steinberg said.
After retiring, Williams lost more than 20 pounds on a vegetarian diet. Steinberg said his weight is back above 215, still below his listed weight of 226 on the 2004 preseason roster.
Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons with the Dolphins. He informed coach Dave Wannstedt of his retirement plans last July 23, one week before the start of training camp.
A court later found the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner in breach of contract by retiring, and ordered him to repay the team $8.6 million. The team has not yet sought to collect the settlement, and new coach Nick Saban offered Williams another chance to play for the Dolphins, who begin workouts Monday.
``Ricky and coach Saban seem to have established a very good rapport in the past several months,'' Steinberg said.