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PeterBurns
10-05-2004, 07:48 PM
NEW YORK -- Ricky Williams has asked the NFL for a hearing to clarify his playing status, a possible first step if the running back tries to return to the league.


His request was first reported by ESPN's Hank Goldberg and later confirmed by an NFL spokesman who declined to comment further on the matter.


Reached by phone, Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, also told Goldberg that the letter was sent to the league, saying that it was "the first step in Ricky showing interest in playing football again."


Steinberg said Williams was seeking a definite answer from the league as to when he would be eligible to play.


"Ricky has made his tour around the world and taken his time away," Steinberg said, "and now has realized that he has a real passion for football."


The Miami Dolphins running back announced his retirement just before training camp. He subsequently was ordered by an arbitrator to repay more than $8.6 million to the team for breaching his contract.


The NFL source said no date had been scheduled for the hearing.


"This is an issue between the player, his representative and the league," Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said. "Accordingly, we don't have a comment on the matter."


Williams has given many reasons why he called Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt days before workouts were to begin in July to tell him he was quitting. At different times, Williams has expressed displeasure with his contract, an excessive workload and new offensive coordinator Chris Foerster.


Williams has acknowledged testing positive for marijuana three times, which means if he decides to return he could face a one-year suspension.


Under league rules, a player in the NFL's drug program faces a suspension if he returns in the calendar year after he announces his retirement. If he returns after a year, he faces a lesser suspension.


To retain his rights and potential trade value, the Dolphins would have to take Williams back if he decided to unretire. They could release him, which would make him a free agent.


The Dolphins would not have to pay Williams for any time during which he was suspended.


The award made to the Dolphins by arbitrator Richard Bloch involved bonus money included in the contract that ran through 2007. After mailing a letter to Williams asking him either to report or pay the money back, the team filed the request for arbitration.


The Dolphins have started the season 0-4 and may be headed toward their first losing season since 1988. They have scored only two touchdowns in four games without Williams, who rushed for 3,225 in two seasons after being obtained in a trade with New Orleans.

Jimcs50
10-05-2004, 10:30 PM
I guess Lenny Kravitz' concert tour is over, or he ran out of marijuana.

AlamoSpursFan
10-05-2004, 10:57 PM
Or he saw just exactly how far he could tour the world after $8.6 million sheckels left his bank account.

:lol

Duff McCartney
10-05-2004, 10:58 PM
The first thing he needs to do if he decides to come back and play...is demand out of that little spot of football hell hole I like to call...Miami.

Mark in Austin
10-05-2004, 11:26 PM
Why would any team sign this jerkoff after what he pulled?

IceColdBrewski
10-05-2004, 11:38 PM
Why would any team sign this jerkoff after what he pulled?


Exactly. This guy is a grade A froot loop. According the the Hollywood Henderson (who talked to Ricky and his mother) interview on 760 a couple of weeks ago, Ricky is infatuated with marijuana, has the mind of a "retard", and can't afford to pay the 8.6 mil.

So what you're left with is a pot smokin head case that's only coming back for the money.

exstatic
10-06-2004, 01:02 AM
"Ricky has made his tour around the world and taken his time away," Steinberg said, "and now has realized that he has a real passion for football."

Translation: he's broke.

Yeah, he's a pot smoking retard, but probably a top 3 back. He'll find employment.

timvp
10-06-2004, 02:16 AM
I think his stash ran out.


"I DID WHAT?!?!?!?!" :wow :wow

Taco
10-06-2004, 07:52 AM
The Top 4 reasons Ricky Williams decided to return to football

#4: The NFL said they would make the Football look like an oblong Joint.

#3: The Field will be made out of Ricky's kind of Grass

#2: The Pre-game Fog machines will be replaced by Bong Machines

#1: Munchies will be provided during halftime and time outs

Yonivore
10-06-2004, 10:47 AM
The first thing he needs to do if he decides to come back and play...is demand out of that little spot of football hell hole I like to call...Miami.
Yeah, but he owes them a little better than 5 million dollars.