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.
Results 1 to 15 of 19
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07-19-2005, 10:09 PM #1Letterman
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Williams To Start Training Camp With Dolphins
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07-19-2005, 10:11 PM #2All-American
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Man oh Man! Glory years coming for Miami! I think they will have a chance to get into the playoffs and with Ricky's ability they have a good change to win it all. I hope Dallas or Houston can do it but if not then Miami will do it! New England here we come!!
Thank you PPHSfan and Keith7!
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07-19-2005, 10:22 PM #3BHBrave08Guest
They will be good if he is healthy. lol. He always seemed to bee hurt when I remember his in the pros.
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07-19-2005, 10:34 PM #4All-District
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lol no ricky stays healthy rushedd for more than 1800 yards in 2002!
CAMERON YOE-TOP 5 TEAM IN HISTORY OF CLASS 3A
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07-19-2005, 10:36 PM #5All-American
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I hope he's out of shape and doesn't get the starting spot
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07-20-2005, 09:27 AM #6All-American
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i hope he smokes a joint on the field after a touchdown
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07-20-2005, 09:30 AM #7All-American
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LMAO!!! Was not expecting this comment...good thing I didn't have any water in my mouth or it'd be sprayed all over my screen.Originally posted by kaorder1999
i hope he smokes a joint on the field after a touchdown
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07-20-2005, 12:03 PM #8AggieJohnGuest
yeah i hear his protege is still holding out, i hate when rookies hold out
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07-20-2005, 12:13 PM #9All-American
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ricky bores me about as much as kenny rogers.
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07-20-2005, 12:42 PM #10Bandera YaYaGuest
Ha...that guy is a wack case...i pity the fans and coaches that are counting on him for anything!!!!
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07-20-2005, 12:59 PM #11Letterman
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Originally posted by AggieJohn
yeah i hear his protege is still holding out, i hate when rookies hold out
How many first round picks have already signed?
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07-20-2005, 01:08 PM #12All-American
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I was listening to FOX SPORTS Radio on XM ( we have no sports radio in drabilene) and Bryan Cox said that Zach Thomas and jason Taylor said the first time he showed his face in the lockerroom they were going to "Kick his arse".
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."
I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people.
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07-20-2005, 01:15 PM #13All-American
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lmaoOriginally posted by kaorder1999
i hope he smokes a joint on the field after a touchdown
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07-20-2005, 01:39 PM #14AggieJohnGuest
probably most of them, but i don't like when those few decided to hold out because they haven't gotten what they are worth....their in a new league, we don't know what you worth yetOriginally posted by TMer25
How many first round picks have already signed?
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07-20-2005, 03:01 PM #15Letterman
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Originally posted by AggieJohn
probably most of them, but i don't like when those few decided to hold out because they haven't gotten what they are worth....their in a new league, we don't know what you worth yet
None of the 31 first round picks have signed yet. Only 30 of the 255 draft picks overall have signed.
