Ricky Williams Tests Positive for Fourth Time

What can you say... here's a guy that has it all and is just throwing it down the crapper...it's a shame...especialy when you think of all the other guys that would love to have 1/3 of his talent.

posted by Warminzu at 10:10 PM - reply - flag:

posted by chemwizBsquared at 10:12 PM - reply - flag:

i got a little excited after I finally learned to cut and paste (just kidding). I'm putting myself on a two week posting probation. as far as Williams, I felt this was a just a matter of time. it sucks because he had such a good year for the fins and looked to be back on his way to being a top of the line running back. personally, i think it stinks the NFL is so strict on marijuana. i could understand the tough stance on performance enhancers, cocaine, and other "hard" drugs. but pot, come on, that an entirely different animal. but NFL rules are NFL rules and he should play by them if he wants the privilege of playing in the league. maybe he should have stuck with baseball. if you are on a 40-man roster you can puff till your hearts content

posted by erkno11 at 10:12 PM - reply - flag:

Ricky, Ricky, Ricky, some of us like to toke... but if the situation doesn't allow it...you gots to abide by the rules. He plays too good but must be short on brains

posted by steelergirl at 10:17 PM - reply - flag:

Okay, "chemwizBsquared." Step off the gas for a second. Marijuana never killed anybody. Ever. It might, however, have killed Ricky's comeback. And that's sad.

posted by chicobangs at 10:19 PM - reply - flag:

Shit Ricky stop it. Spin around in circles to get dizy, leave the chronic for after NFL hopefully this isn't the last straw, but come on.

posted by T$PORT4lawschool at 10:33 PM - reply - flag:

The tokes are why he is short on brains.

posted by brothersgrim at 10:39 PM - reply - flag:

brothersgrim....good answer. I even find myself, after stopping 17yrs ago, to sometime have a "glitch" in the old computer. I liked your answer...it's true.

posted by steelergirl at 10:42 PM - reply - flag:

I really hate it when professional players violate the spirit of the sport by using performance enhancing drugs... Oh wait, this isn't about a drug that'll actually effect your performance or will severely damage your body... With that said, I would respect Williams a lot more if he would have just quit altogether and given up the money. It was clear that, although his skills and drive were still there, that he was only playing because he needed the cash. Find another line of work and smoke to your heart's content, but don't try to pretend that football's your main interest anymore just for the big bucks.

posted by uglatto at 10:44 PM - reply - flag:

I logged out on Ricky soon after he thrilled us as a member of the Longhorns. Athletic ability does not give him the right to jeopardize the success of the team.Heshould emulate Earl and Priest and grow-up to the stature they have built for his self. In the meantime my Ex- Texas grads in my family are heart-broken

posted by B at 10:51 PM - reply - flag:

The NFL should hand down a LIFETIME suspension to Ricky Williams. They should be like AOL..."Goodbye!" One chance is enough, but 4 chances is way too many! I pity the kids who look up to such a poor role model.

posted by nflhou02 at 10:54 PM - reply - flag:

nflhou02...amen brother, amen!

posted by steelergirl at 10:56 PM - reply - flag:

Ok, I KNOW that Marijuana does not KILL, but it "kills" careers, relationships and your image...so it is basically ruining Ricky William's life. This is a bright man who (I'm assuming) got a degree from UT...so he should know better than this...its a shame too...I hope he can find a way to stop this...

posted by chemwizBsquared at 11:00 PM - reply - flag:

Yeah, let's ban the guy for life because he smokes marijuana. Any more brilliant ideas?

posted by dusted at 11:06 PM - reply - flag:

Must have needed some more "enlightenment".

posted by dbt302 at 11:24 PM - reply - flag:

YES...lets ban him for life. You sound like you are offended because that suspension sounds harsh. Let's see...Williams broke NFL rules, he broke team rules, and he broke the LAW!!! I agree with chemwiz, Williams got an education on the taxpayers dime. And he chose not to use it. If he were standing before a judge somewhere, he would be facing prison time! And were he in a foreign country, such as China he would be lucky to still have his life! Ricky is in the prime of his life , and he chose the situation he is in. I do not feel giving him chance after chance will help. If he continues to take the path he is on, then let life take him where it may!

posted by nflhou02 at 11:24 PM - reply - flag:

dusted...yea, i think they should ban him for life, not that toking is so bad, but the NFL says NO to it...and you got to follow the rules. That's one thing I have learned in my life...sometimes you have to go along to get along. I personally don't think it's any worse that drinking a few beers, but there is a time and a place and God knows that "sports figures" are role models to children (could it be cause their parents don't input into their lives about what is right/wrong?) and they have to tow the line. My job says I have to pass a urine test if they ask me... if I test positive, I'm fired; so I don't do it. Not to mention the stuff is still illegal.

posted by steelergirl at 11:32 PM - reply - flag:

Williams didn't "get an education on the taxpayer's dime." A scholarship is paid for by the school, not the government. You're just making stuff up now. So let's toss him in a dumpster because he smoked some weed. Yeah, that's looking at all sides. Does he need time away from the game? Sure, but not to go to prison or Hell or the Browns or wherever you guys want him to go. But exiling him of all people from the game when there are many, many (many, many) people in the game who have actually hurt or killed others and destroyed lives (and taken way worse drugs that tipped the balance of power in NFL games, thus hurting the integrity of the league) who continue to be celebrated and honored as if they were genuine role models and heroes, seems awful hypocritical. Where were these torches and pitchforks for Michael Irvin, or Deion Sanders, or Bill Romanowski, or Ray Lewis, or Nate Newton? Or do you guys hear the word "marijuana" and you immediately think "Satan"?

posted by chicobangs at 11:36 PM - reply - flag:

You can take the Boy out of the Ghetto, but you can't take the Ghetto out of the Boy.

posted by The Toz at 11:52 PM - reply - flag:

well said chicobangs!

posted by jindetroit at 11:52 PM - reply - flag:

Why do I dislike Football. Let me count the reasons. It all boils down to 2 things---Too much money and too much time. Stick with Hockey

posted by ettlingen1942 at 11:53 PM - reply - flag:

A scholarship is paid for by the school, not the government. UT is a pubic school. As such, it receives money from the state of Texas (more than $1B per year, IIRC). Even if the scholarship money doesn't flow directly from the state funds, the scholarship winner will still be using services and facilities paid by those funds and therefore by the taxpayer.

posted by joaquim at 11:54 PM - reply - flag:

Chico... You must not live in Texas! Or you would know that UT is a STATE school. Williams may have had his books and tuition handed to him, but the people who taught him and gave him an education ARE paid by the state government. And no Ricky is not the only player to take drugs. And if they are caught, I would advocate the same penalties for them as well. No one person should be above the game, or gamesmanship! The rules should be clear to all. If you are caught, you get punished. As for all of the players you mentioned, I believe they should be held accountable for their actions too. Whether they get punished or not, that decision does not rest with me. I believe in the laws this nation has passed. And if those laws are upheld, then justice will be served. And when I hear the word "marijuana", I dont think of "Satan". I think of the word "crime"! If you feel that you should be free to choose whether you can smoke marijuana, or take any drug or narcotic and not be punished, then it should be you that changes the law. Until the law is changed, I will continue to believe that Williams did wrong.

posted by nflhou02 at 11:56 PM - reply - flag:

DAMM. As a big time dolphin fan this bums me out so bad , i gotta go hit the bong. What a loser.

posted by azdano at 11:59 PM - reply - flag:

Hey Chico where do you think the school's get there money??? Tax payers!!!! If you are a property owner you would know that so the scholarship is not paid for by the school my friend it is paid for by Joe Citizen. As far as the other athletes you mention, I agree all are guilty of using illegal substances. The ONE big difference here is that those athletes didn't need four chances to learn to play by the rules. If we say it's okay for Williams to break the rules over and over again without serious consequences then how do explain to our kids why they too should follow the rules?? Are you a marijuana user?? sounds as though you are..

posted by Bronkonut at 12:01 AM - reply - flag:

azdano....Yes your spelling would indicate that you may have hit it a time or two....

posted by brothersgrim at 12:06 AM - reply - flag:

Forget the debate if pot kills and roids are cheating. The real issue is the rules. If you can't abide by them then do not participate. Want to be a Yankee? Cut your hair and shave. Want to sit the bench in the NBA? Dress up a little. Want to play professional sports? The horse is dead...

posted by Sailor at 12:07 AM - reply - flag:

Bronkonut: "schools" has no apostrophe, it's "their," not "there," and the occasional comma is your friend, my friend. As I've said twice in this thread now: if he's not able to abide by the NFL's rules, then he needs some time away from the game. And that's too bad. But the frothing hatred is misplaced. He never killed anyone, never hurt anyone (any Miami fans who were actually injured by Ricky Williams smoking weed should maybe take a step back themselves), and never threw a game or did a drug that unfairly influenced his performance. That's more than you can say for many others who've done way worse and are still actively involved in the NFL. Save your hatred for them. (Oh, and I stand corrected about the University of Texas. As Texas residents, you should ask for your share of his scholarship money back. I don't know who you'd write about that.)

posted by chicobangs at 12:24 AM - reply - flag:

One other thing: leave "the children" out of this. If you're letting Ricky Williams teach your kids what acceptable behavior is, then the problem lies somewhere else.

posted by chicobangs at 12:29 AM - reply - flag:

Ricky Williams would have been a Legend if not for Marijuana and that 1 year absence, Just imagine how much better he would be if he had a good work ethic God Damit Fucking Ricky Williams I would love to have hm on my team if he had a good work ethick and got off drugs

posted by houston9388 at 12:37 AM - reply - flag:

UT is a public school you should ask for your share of his scholarship money back You mean that public money is used for those athletic scholarships? Cripes, you Americans are nuts.

posted by owlhouse at 12:41 AM - reply - flag:

It's true, owlhouse. Some numbers: Texas has about 22.5 million people, and let's say Ricky's scholarship was $50,000. (Let's forget for a minute how much money he brought to the school by helping them win games and by selling programs and other paraphernalia. He was probably worth a couple million to UT during the time he was there. But let's pretend that doesn't exist.) That means each and every Texan should get 0.222222222 of a penny from Ricky. How many of y'all take Paypal?

posted by chicobangs at 12:47 AM - reply - flag:

Well, maybe not, chicobangs. As I understand it, at most (if not all) schools, the athletic department is a separate entity with it's own budget that comes from donations, ticket sales, TV revenue and such. Especially at UT, with its popular football program, it's probably earning more than enough money for the department to stay in the black and not need any additional money from the school itself to fund scholarships and other expenses.

posted by gyc at 01:54 AM - reply - flag:

I just think it is amazing how strong the pedastal is that we put these athletes on. No matter what they do, they can not get knocked off. Another thing, just because pot is not as bad as other hard drugs or they do not kill anybody like on previous posts, it is still against the law and against NFL policy. So why should he or anyone get special treatment? I have said it before, if it would had been any one of us in the normal workforce we would have been put on our ASS after the first positive result. Period.

posted by chucodimebag at 02:08 AM - reply - flag:

Who gives a flying fuck if he smokes some pot? I don't. The scandal here is that the NFL evens takes pot seriously anymore. As far as I am concerned it's no different then if he tested positive for beer. Fire that joint up Bro and pass it down the line! For Christs sake...it POT! it's not like it's anything serious!

posted by commander cody at 02:29 AM - reply - flag:

Unless of course anyone here actually thought the movie "Refer Madness" was real? IT'S POT! Holding pot smoking against anyone is a JOKE! The NFL needs to grow up and enter the 21st century and so does anyone who thinks puff some weed is somehow from the devil. Grow up.

posted by commander cody at 02:36 AM - reply - flag:

Oh wait a minute! Lets ban him for smoking cigarettes! Or because he likes a scotch on the rocks after a game. How about those Big Macs I hear he likes! Lot's of fat in those! Lord knows he's setting a bad example for every kid who doesn't have a real parent to raise them and needs football players to be the reason their kid has to grow up without killing someone!

posted by commander cody at 02:41 AM - reply - flag:

Grow the fuck up!

posted by commander cody at 02:42 AM - reply - flag:

Commander Cody --- The differance is: POT IS ILLEGAL!!!!

posted by Dan H. at 03:14 AM - reply - flag:

Commander Cody --- The differance is: POT IS ILLEGAL!!!! SO WHAT? It's been illegal for the past 50 years or so but people been smoking it for hundreds, if not thousands, of years before. The fact that it IS illegal has nothing to do with if it SHOULD be. It should no more be illegal then beer for Christs sake. If I found a way to make wine illegal tommorrow should we stop people from drinking it? We tried prohibition...didn't work. If I was a pro athlete and I had a choice between endorsement contracts between booze and pot, I'd pick pot in a Detriot second. Hell if I was a pro athlete and could afford it, whenever I wasn't playing I'd have some hell-la-sious parties. Complete with many bowls of the good stuff for anyone to roll. And I certainly know I'd much more support an athlete that smokes a bowl now and then over one who shoots steroids into his veins.

posted by commander cody at 03:26 AM - reply - flag:

Illegal? Do you think if they tried to introduce products like tobacco or alcohol now that they would be approved? As CC says, prohibition does not work. And he is backed up on that by none other than that dangerous liberal, Milton Friedman.

posted by owlhouse at 03:42 AM - reply - flag:

It doesn't matter if it should be illegal or not. It is. Until it's not you can't smoke it in the NFL, or the rest of this country. You can't drive a schoolbus either. Or a UPS truck. Some jobs don't allow for it. Whatever his (Ricky's) disdain for "law" might be, he doesn't have the right to just flout it and continue to use illegal drugs and play football. Because he is a "soft" drug user not using "hard" stuff makes no difference. I tend bar, I make a lot of money selling a "legal" substance that causes much more damage than almost any other. I will also take an occasional toke, my employer doesn't test, if they did I wouldn't work for them. Out of respect for myself and the company for which I am employed. Ricky should take note, how can he look his "team-mates" in the eye? Where did I put my lighter?....what the hell was I talking about? At least I spelled everything right. Probably should have paragraphed a bit, maybe a little excessive use of "quotation" marks. Anyways, smoke up if ya want Ricky, should of waited until you retired though.

posted by GoBirds at 04:57 AM - reply - flag:

You can take the Boy out of the Ghetto, but you can't take the Ghetto out of the Boy. This should automatically close a thread.

posted by yerfatma at 06:10 AM - reply - flag:

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure that UT granted Ricky's scholarship based on his 4.0 GPA. You think it wasn't hard to go to practice everyday and still carry a full pre-med schedule?...C'mon you guys...who do you think comes out ahead financially...the "school" or the college athlete?

posted by Hang_Ten at 06:56 AM - reply - flag:

Marijuana doesn't kill? Ask Bamm Morris! He had a promising career struck down by the marijuana he was carrying in the trunk of his car. Not to mention the effect it had on his family! See you later Ricky, neither the team or your family can depend on you! Get some help with your problem!

posted by steelerchooks at 07:35 AM - reply - flag:

Who was the one player in the league to leave his team "high" and dry right before the season, come back a year later and want his job back. I'll tell you who. The same one that just tested positive for dope. See any correlation? Smoking marijuana kills brain cells, short term memory and careers, it is not harmless as some of you would like us to believe. Ask Ricky Williams. Oh wait, don't ask him, he can't remember from one drug test to the next what it was he wasn't suppose to smoke. Athleticism with brains is what makes great NFL players. Take away the brains and all you've got is potential gone up in smoke.

posted by Familyman at 08:00 AM - reply - flag:

Excellant rebuttal Chicobangs. It should be amazing to see the extremely paranoid reaction regarding a pro-athelete's use of pot, but sadly to say, in this country, it's not. And finally, it's also not like someone's life is depending on Ricky's performance, (which, from what his stats are showing, is nothing but satisfactory!)

posted by RedStrike at 08:04 AM - reply - flag:

And B.T.W., brain cells die naturally, and do to all sorts of things that we intentionally and un-intentionally ingest.

posted by RedStrike at 08:05 AM - reply - flag:

Duh!

posted by RedStrike at 08:05 AM - reply - flag:

* All schoolbooks were made from hemp or flax paper until the 1880s; Hemp Paper Reconsidered, Jack Frazier, 1974. * It was LEGAL TO PAY TAXES WITH HEMP in America from 1631 until the early 1800s; LA Times, Aug. 12, 1981. * REFUSING TO GROW HEMP in America during the 17th and 18th Centuries WAS AGAINST THE LAW! You could be jailed in Virginia for refusing to grow hemp from 1763 to 1769; Hemp in Colonial Virginia, G. M. Herdon. * George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers GREW HEMP; Washington and Jefferson Diaries. Jefferson smuggled hemp seeds from China to France then to America. * Benjamin Franklin owned one of the first paper mills in America and it processed hemp. Also, the War of 1812 was fought over hemp. Napoleon wanted to cut off Moscow's export to England; Emperor Wears No Clothes, Jack Herer. * For thousands of years, 90% of all ships' sails and rope were made from hemp. The word 'canvas' is Dutch for cannabis; Webster's New World Dictionary. * 80% of all textiles, fabrics, clothes, linen, drapes, bed sheets, etc. were made from hemp until the 1820s with the introduction of the cotton gin. * The first Bibles, maps, charts, Betsy Ross's flag, the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were made from hemp; U.S. Government Archives

posted by KLMTROLLBOY at 08:08 AM - reply - flag:

TO ME THE FACT THE NFL SAYS NO POT,LIVE WITH THAT UNTIL YOU RETIRE.AT THAT TIME SPARK IT UP!

posted by KLMTROLLBOY at 08:10 AM - reply - flag:

* In 1916, the U.S. Government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees need to be cut down. Government studies report that 1 acre of hemp equals 4.1 acres of trees. Plans were in the works to implement such programs; Department of Agriculture * Quality paints and varnishes were made from hemp seed oil until 1937. 58,000 tons of hemp seeds were used in America for paint products in 1935; Sherman Williams Paint Co. testimony before Congress against the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act. * Henry Ford's first Model-T was built to run on hemp gasoline and the CAR ITSELF WAS CONTRUCTED FROM HEMP! On his large estate, Ford was photographed among his hemp fields. The car, 'grown from the soil,' had hemp plastic panels whose impact strength was 10 times stronger than steel; Popular Mechanics, 1941. * Hemp called 'Billion Dollar Crop.' It was the first time a cash crop had a business potential to exceed a billion dollars; Popular Mechanics, Feb., 1938. * Mechanical Engineering Magazine (Feb. 1938) published an article entitled 'The Most Profitable and Desirable Crop that Can be Grown.' It stated that if hemp was cultivated using 20th Century technology, it would be the single largest agricultural crop in the U.S. and the rest of the world.

posted by KLMTROLLBOY at 08:14 AM - reply - flag:

This all would have been avoided if Ricky would have been smart enough to call Onterrio Smith up and asked to borrow his Whizzinator!

posted by wingnut4life at 08:18 AM - reply - flag:

WHO PAYS FOR HEMP BEING AGAINST THE LAW. RICKY,MIAMI,FANS,AND EVERYONE ELSE.SAD.BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU... BOTTOM LINE RESPECT THE NFL RULES. LOTS OF TIME AFTER FOOTBALL.HE NEEDS MONEY TO BUY THE SMOKE. RIGHT?

posted by KLMTROLLBOY at 08:19 AM - reply - flag:

iI think that many of you have forgotten that Ricky came into the NFL with that stupid ass contract and not the "we will pay you up front" money.It is the same suit just worn differently.Why waste oxygen and time on a nice entertainer and book smart individual!UT is no punk school!Can anyone show me more value in a stick of weed than you could in an eight figure bank statement. Now for that stupid ass move I hope his entire left side just locks up.

posted by AASR-AF&AM at 08:31 AM - reply - flag:

It just doesn't give the kids a good person to look up to in the NFL like all the rest of them. I don't know I'm high right now.

posted by tmart937 at 08:32 AM - reply - flag:

Who the fuck invited Woody Harrelson?

posted by yerfatma at 08:35 AM - reply - flag:

I swear to God, why is it every time someone tests positive for marijuana, we get this huge "But it should be legal!" groundswell? Folks, get over it -- it ain't. If you want to work to make it legal in the States, knock yourselves out. But the facts are 1) it isn't legal right now and, more importantly, 2) it's a banned substance in the National Football League. So even if we listen to all your rhetoric about how it's not that bad for you and by God, we're supporting the economy by keeping Lays and rolling paper companies in business ... the NFL says don't smoke. That means put the fucking bong down and play by our rules or get out. Williams has had his chances and he's blown (or rather, inhaled) them. He's had plenty of time away from the game to straighten himself out. Lifetime suspension.

posted by wfrazerjr at 08:45 AM - reply - flag:

Next stop: Prison. Enjoy the ride retard.

posted by storagepro at 08:46 AM - reply - flag:

The NFL and the Dolphins gave him a second chance and this is how he thanks them,by blowing pot smoke right in their faces

posted by steelers101 at 08:53 AM - reply - flag:

it is amazing how many ignant' people are in the world and then they hold convo' like this to defend weed!It cuts out the strenght of your sperm and clouds your thought process among other things. anything messing with my dick is all i need to understand! What the fuck is going on where you are happy being in a cloud of smoke?

posted by AASR-AF&AM at 09:01 AM - reply - flag:

the NFL never gave Ricky a chance!!!!! A chance is when you give solutions to a problem.The NFL wanted to make the money off him the lost when he was gone.You have banned substances but not banned actions.I can not smoke weed in the off season but I can rent pussy on a boat?Get the fuck outta here!!!Fuck all you pro athletes that stopped playing with your heart and went to the "get me" phase!

posted by AASR-AF&AM at 09:10 AM - reply - flag:

What the fuck is going on where you are happy being in a cloud of smoke? I don't know, dude. Just pass me the Doritoes...

posted by wingnut4life at 09:12 AM - reply - flag:

The NFL and the Dolphins are both equally stupid with regards to this issue. Did anyone actually think Ricky would stop smoking? Please. It's basically his reason for living and breathing. Football is willing to, or would like to be able to overlook this type of thing when it comes to a person who has talent and can run the football. The fact both the Dolphins and the NFL got burned is their own problem. It's called "Blinded by stupidity."

posted by dyams at 09:15 AM - reply - flag:

What"s Ricky going to tell them. I didn"t inhale. these athletes ca get away with anything, just like singers and actors.

posted by steelers101 at 09:27 AM - reply - flag:

Also, I forgot. Well put, wfrazerjr.

posted by dyams at 09:27 AM - reply - flag:

There is no debating that Hemp is a usefule crop. I would like to see its industrial use expanded greatly. As a cancer patient, I know that there are medical uses for pot. That said, do say that pot has never caused a death in a very simplistic view.

posted by daddisamm at 09:38 AM - reply - flag:

Williams is a grown man and should be held accountable for his behavior. He is, above anything else, a FOOL. The only reason he came back, in the first place, was to keep from breaching his contract. Miami had already started procedures to recover the big pile of cash they showered on him. Minor infraction, maybe once or twice. Give me a break, he's an Idiot. I am sure these guys know how to beat the test. I hope this thing bankrupts him.

posted by kosmicdebris at 09:50 AM - reply - flag:

Ricky Williams smokes weed? Damn. Who knew. Honestly, at this point, a positive steroid test would have been better news. At least it shows that he wants to win.

posted by The Gangstinator at 10:05 AM - reply - flag:

A reminder: this thread is not a debate on whether pot should be decriminalized. This is a thread for taking cheap shots and passing biblical-style judgement on Ricky Williams, and explaining how he should be thrown in a very dark prison for smoking some joints.

posted by chicobangs at 10:18 AM - reply - flag:

And it is easier to put an Afro-American in prison for smoking some pot, (nee Stymie of the Our Gang/Little Rascals fame)(and all of the other potheads jammed in our bloated prison system, in the same league as robbers, murderers, rapists & child molestors), than some crazed cokehead of a fascist president, isn't it?

posted by RedStrike at 10:31 AM - reply - flag:

Well, I'm all for the decriminalization of marijuana, but that is kind of a red herring here. The rules are the NFLs to make and they have decided, not surprisingly, to have a four-and-out policy. Ricky should have paid attention to it. No lifetime ban, though. That seems to me to be curing the cancer by killing the patient. It is, after all the bluster and hubbub, just weed. Nothing wrong with having a little perspective about it - a la Chico. Now, if the NFL had the same kind of drug policy as the NBA when it came to weed, we wouldn't be having this discussion, becuase Ricky would be pretty free to abuse without much threat of getting caught. So it's not really about the general attitude towards pot - it's about the specific policy of the NFL. Pot is not on trial here. As for Ricky being an evil incomptent baffoon who is an embarassment to the Dolphins, himself and the league - gimme a break. I certainly hope you hold yourself to the same kind of unimpeachable standard - but I'm fucking sure you don't. The holier than thou types really get my goat. Ricky should abide by the terms of the policy and be reinstated following his punishment - just like everyone else.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:38 AM - reply - flag:

There are doubtless other, non-athlete people who got scholarships at Texas. Should they be fired from their (non-NFL) jobs if they toke up? I think Ricky is pretty stupid to get caught, but I also think anti-marijuana laws are stupid, and I think a scholarship from 5 years ago has nothing to do with the issue at hand.

posted by drumdance at 10:54 AM - reply - flag:

And, of course, we all know this is true because one TV station in Denver and the Miami Herald picked up on it. If you read it or see it on TV, it must be true, right? Until I hear from the league, I will hope against hope (as a lifelong Dolphins fan) that it isn't true. If it turns out to be true, I'll be disappointed and a little bit angry, but not ready to condemn the man for the rest of his life. And, as one of our more astute posters put it earlier, if you're looking to professional athletes as role models for your children, especially role models who've had problems in the past, you can't blame them for fucking up your kids. It's your own damn fault for being a lazy, lousy parent.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 11:05 AM - reply - flag:

If it turns out to be true, I'll be disappointed and a little bit angry, but not ready to condemn the man for the rest of his life. Then we don't need you in NewSportsFilterLand.

posted by yerfatma at 11:17 AM - reply - flag:

The bottom line here is it's against the NFL rules. He must abide by the rules if he wishes to play in the league. I understand his love of pot. I smoked it for 20 years. I've been stoned more than our U.S. embassies! But when my company started making us submit to drug tests, I had to stop because I wanted to keep my job. If he wants to keep his job, HE MUST STOP!!

posted by Big D Alexander at 11:17 AM - reply - flag:

I have one word that describes Ricky, Desultory.

posted by sadsadcubsfan at 11:24 AM - reply - flag:

Well, his rushing numbers last year were anything but desultory.

posted by chicobangs at 11:39 AM - reply - flag:

I honestly think the 1 year suspension is going easy on him. THe suspension really doesn't matter, though. Even if he sat out this year, the Dolphins are definately not going to keep him after he betrayed Saban like this, and no other coach in the league is going to take a hypocrite like that onto their team. He's lucky he's not getting jail time for this. He broke the rules, heck, he broke the law (cuz i doubt he lives in Michigan and had the pot on prescription). Ricky, you are a fricken bum. This just shows how low athletes can be in our world today. They have some of the easiest jobs. They work out over the off-season, go to a training camp or two, play some games, go to some practices, its a whole lot easier than being, oh say, a teacher or a corrections officer or something like that. And they get paid, literally, about 400 times more a year. And thats if you suck at doing it. This just makes me sick how he can do this after apologizing, getting a second chance, and being, in atleast my eyes, the comeback player of the year. He betrayed his team, he betrayed the fans, heck, he betrayed anyone who loves the game. All this coming from a guy who isn't a dolphins fan, either. Ricky, you make me sick.

posted by zachaweenus at 11:42 AM - reply - flag:

Lets see.....He won the Heisman, but never the National Championship. Does any of you remember the name of Steve Howe. He was NL Rookie of the Year for the Dodgers in 1979, and 7, yes "7" times he was suspended from baseball for drinking problems, as well as gun charges. So Ricky smokes pot. How many of you hypocrits have NEVER done anything illegal. Michael Irvin is finding out how being stupid can hurt you after your career. The NFL HOF voters will hold this against him whenever his name comes up for votes. Let Ricky screw up his own life. He doesn't need us to tell him what's right or wrong. We ALL need to look at ourselves and remember something my mom told us kids as we were growing up......"Let ye without sins, cast the first stone".

posted by RenoBruinfan2006 at 11:49 AM - reply - flag:

All the people complaining about the lousy parenting are overlooking one thing. Kids are not necessarily pushed to pick a role model! Children of ALL ethnic persuasion choose to watch TV or listen to the radio.They choose to collect memorabilia. They choose to associate with a person whom they recognize. A parent does not always push their children to look up to these people. If these children choose to associate with a celebrity, then the parent should help their kids understand if it is right or wrong. And in the end, some kids don't listen. To push the blame solely on the parents, for their children adolizing the wrong kind of role model is simply not right. As for Ricky Williams, as I said earlier, it is about rules, and the choice to follow those rules. Whether or not marijuana is legal, whether it is going to be legal, whether anyone uses marijuana is not the issue. It boils down to the fact: Williams broke the rules, and he broke the law!

posted by nflhou02 at 11:51 AM - reply - flag:

You know, I'm not even a big fan of the U.S. laws on marijuana, but you know what? They are laws. That means if you break them, you might end up in jail, or at least facing some criminal penalty. You want to take that chance, go right ahead -- but don't come crying to me if you end up spending some time in the pokey. You knew. As for the one-year vs. lifetime ban, he broke the rules of his place of employment for the fourth time -- and you guys are calling for leniency? How many breaks would you guys get for intentionally disobeying the law of your employer? One? I certainly hope you hold yourself to the same kind of unimpeachable standard - but I'm fucking sure you don't. The holier than thou types really get my goat. Actually, I do. It's what allows me to say Ricky's a fuck-up and look at other people and say, "You know, I wouldn't have shit to do with that guy because he's a fuck-up." Do you not have that ability yourself? No, Ricky's not evil, but he's not worth defending, either. Pick your battles.

posted by wfrazerjr at 11:56 AM - reply - flag:

It amazes me how certain people will defend the rule breaking of professional athletes, considering that people in the private sector would be disciplined or fired for breaking the rules at their job. I've been a Dolphins fan for 35 years and am upset by this latest development, if it is true. I was of the contention that the Dolphins should have never taken him back in the first place. As soon as he came back he should have been traded for whatever the Phins could get. While he is an incredibly gifted athlete he is a head case who cares nothing for the rules he agreed to follow. This guy has the potential to be a Hall-of-Famer, but that has pretty much gone down the tubes. The previous comments hinting at racism or decriminalization of pot have no relevance here. Whatever happened to personal responsibility and ensuring that rules are followed. Stop making excuses for the idiot and every other athlete who breaks the laws they consider themselves to be above.

posted by PAPhinFan at 12:02 PM - reply - flag:

Gee the high and mighty NFL, NBA and other pro sports don't seem that interested in keeping violent felons out of their leagues but god forbid a pot smoker can play football. Lawrence Taylor even admitted to snorting coke during games. How embarassing for the NFL that the greatest defensive player of all time was a party animal. I agree that a persons private life should be a concern if their impaired judgement can cause death or injury to others, or affects their performance on the job. We don't don't need high airline pilots, but who cares if a football player smokes pot. It doesn't enhance his performance and no body is going to get hurt because of it. Frankly Ricky has a problem if pot is more important than making millions but the league should get their priorities straight. Worry about the Rae Carruths and OJ Simpsons not the Ricky Williams of the world. He hasn't hurt anybody except his teamates who are counting on him to play. If nobody is bothering Snoop Dogg why should Ricky have a problem. The rules and the law need to be changed. This is just stupid. It's just the NFL's way of appearing concerned when in fact they are not. How about rules that say no convicted felons, and no performance enhancing drugs (they are cheating) and just leaving the players alone in their private lives.

posted by Atheist at 12:19 PM - reply - flag:

DAMMIT RICKY!!!! Marajuana KILLS! You realize that because Ricky is a freaking celebrity, he is able to get away with just getting a warning... Meanwhile, if I was caught with Marajuana, I'd be thrown in jail. Dude, stop smoking... posted by chemwizBsquared at 10:12 PM CST on February 19 No it doesn't and here in California you would receive a minor ticket for possession not jail. The famous coroner Thomas Noguchi in his book "Coroner" said that in his 40 years as coroner of Los Angeles he could never attribute one death to marijuana use. He stated that over 400,000 deaths a year can be blamed on tobacco, 60,000 on alcohol, but could not find one death as a result of marijuana.

posted by Atheist at 12:38 PM - reply - flag:

nobody is even acknowledging the fact that he may have just missed the damn test, and that counts as a violation. that doesn't mean he was toking again (althought it's likely), but for all we know he's clean and just missed the test cause he's in india.

posted by phuq420 at 12:46 PM - reply - flag:

He's lucky he's not getting jail time for this. He broke the rules, heck, he broke the law I have heard this over and over in this thread. It is not against the law to have pot in your system. You only get jail time if you are actually caught with the substance or you have previously been caught with the substance and are on probation with drug testing. You guys don't even know what he tested positive for or if he even tested positive and didn't just skip a test. His mom says he is in India and maybe he just didn't show up for a test. I am with T_B_H on this one and reserving my judgement until the Miami Dolphins, Ricky Williams or someone from the NFL (who is willing to give their name for record) makes a statement.

posted by skydivemom at 12:51 PM - reply - flag:

It amazes me how certain people will defend the rule breaking of professional athletes, considering that people in the private sector would be disciplined or fired for breaking the rules at their job. How many times a year are you tested for substance abuse at your job?

posted by yerfatma at 12:52 PM - reply - flag:

nobody is even acknowledging the fact that he may have just missed the damn test, Excellent point. For those who may not have read the article, here is what it said. Contrary to the link title. ...Williams has violated the policy, although neither source would say whether Williams had failed a drug test or if he had missed a required test, which also is a violation.

posted by tselson at 12:55 PM - reply - flag:

What phuq420 said. I bet dollars to doughnuts (mmmm, doughnuts) that a many people in this thread didn't even read the article. We don't know what was detected yet. And I agree with chicobangs. Smoking pot is nothing compared to what Ray Lewis was invovled in.

posted by terrapin at 12:58 PM - reply - flag:

tselson ...makes a valid point, in two ways. There is no proof Williams violated by smoking. He missed a REQUIRED test. Rule broken!

posted by nflhou02 at 12:59 PM - reply - flag:

Actually, I do. It's what allows me to say Ricky's a fuck-up and look at other people and say, "You know, I wouldn't have shit to do with that guy because he's a fuck-up." Do you not have that ability yourself? Yes. And I have never met a single person who hasn't broken a law. We all break laws every single day - it's a matter of degree to which we attribute the severity of transgression, and that is simply a subjective value judgement. We also break, bend, stretch rules at work (like right now) as well. So, I choose to err on the side of 'benefit of the doubt' (ergo, since we're all criminals, I'll be a little cautious in my labelling). Of all the fuck-ups in the NFL, I would put Ricky near the middle of the list - but if it's a list of the people who shouldn't be allowed to play - he isn't anywhere near it (the list, I mean). Now that doesn't mean he didn't break the rules and not be punished, it means I hold back on the charges that he needs to be kicked out in the face of other people (coughJamalLewiscough) who aren't so vehemently judged and punished.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:13 PM - reply - flag:

To push the blame solely on the parents, for their children adolizing the wrong kind of role model is simply not right. Wow. Ok I'll bite so where should the blame be?

posted by tron7 at 01:13 PM - reply - flag:

yerfatma, the employee manual from my job states clearly that I can be subjected to drug-testing any time that my employer gives me notice that this is their wish. It also clearly states that if found positive, I would be subject to discipline up to and including termination. It doesn't matter how many times I'm tested, what does matter is that I understand the ramifications and I have to take personal resposibility for my actions. Ricky certainly knew the rules, and given that he already had 3 previous violations, he knew scrutiny would be that much more intense.

posted by PAPhinFan at 01:14 PM - reply - flag:

Then we don't need you in NewSportsFilterLand. I thought this was KneeJerkContemptForSomeSportsF ilter.

posted by tron7 at 01:19 PM - reply - flag:

Ricky Williams is a waste of sperm.

posted by nowandthen at 01:22 PM - reply - flag:

graphic

posted by tron7 at 01:23 PM - reply - flag:

For thoses of you who think that Ricky's smoking of marijuana is no big deal, you should consider the hundreds of people that have been murdered along the southwest border fighting over who smuggles it into the U.S. to Ricky and everyone else. The killing is a by-product of the business of bringing folks their tokes. You think marijuana never killed anyone? Think again.

posted by redline at 01:29 PM - reply - flag:

It stems from the realization that sports participants think their status as a pro exempts them from customer and authority scrutiny. When they get put back in their place, they are really not so expectant. I know a lot of ex-pros that actually had to go back to work after their careers, because of injury or expulsions, and it really isn't any fun, at least until one realizes that MOST people have to do work to exist. Pro sports figures think they are exempt.

posted by mrhockey at 01:32 PM - reply - flag:

what a drag.... this is usual goody goody we have stupid refs and owners but oh my no player can smoke ohh the humanity...

posted by rolandeblunt at 01:33 PM - reply - flag:

How many times a year are you tested for substance abuse at your job? 3 times a year minimum and randomly. Once given notice you have 4 hours to go take the test. If you do not take it in that time frame it is the same as failing. Also if the urine sample is not up to temp or is diluted you also fail. Our policy is: 1rst failure= 2 weeks off. 2nd failure= 90 days. 3rd failure= lifetime. As I get older I find it harder and harder to find a decent job that does not drug test, not to mention one that will allow you to fail four.

posted by njsk8r20 at 01:34 PM - reply - flag:

Ok here is a link to the NFL's drug policy. From what I can understand Ricky would be considered a stage 3 and the disciplinary action is 1 year suspension. Since he was suspended for 4 games last season which is the stage 2 punishment. During stage 2 he is subjected to more intense testing, if he fails to comply or fails a test he is moved to stage 3 and suspended for 1 year. If you guys want him banished from the NFL for life you should have them change their policy cause right now all they are doing is enforcing the policy as it stands. If we can believe these reporters who are so well known for checking facts.

posted by skydivemom at 01:36 PM - reply - flag:

Weedy McSmokey.... I agree and disagree. Certainly people break laws every day! But to classify all people as criminals would be wrong. A criminal intentionally breaks the law, with no forethought as to whom it may hurt. Every day people run red lights, misread a traffic sign,etc. But that does not mean they went out to do so intentionally. Should they be cited or even arrested? If that is what is called for, yes! We are suppose to learn from our mistakes, and punishment is suppose to help bring that result. Does that make us crimainals? No. Ricky Williams did break the rules/laws INTENTIONALLY!!! Ray Lewis may have done so also. It doesn't matter what your name is. What matters is if you know wrong from right. In the matter of Mr. Williams, he knew. As for tron7...the blame shoud be shared equally...parents, children, AND the so called role model.

posted by nflhou02 at 01:46 PM - reply - flag:

redline great point-all of what you mention would be eliminated if it were legalized. Take it a step further & tax it, the US debt could be wiped out, and or Social security would be there when I retired! Back on the thread- I did not see what he tested positive for, or if he missed the test (Same as a positive by the NFL) I can't believe that he would miss the Piss.. I want to see some details, meaning if he was positive, for what? Pretty dopey to pee positive if you are him, enough said!

posted by directpressure at 01:52 PM - reply - flag:

What a dumbass loser. kick this pothead to the curb.

posted by DCALLEO at 01:57 PM - reply - flag:

ESPN's Hank Goldberg is reporting that he didn't in fact miss the test, he flunked it (though they're not saying what was in his system; pot is the safe bet). Two questions, nflhou02. One, are you saying that some people who break laws are not necessarily criminals? Isn't that what the definition of a criminal is? And two, what responsible parent is holding up Ricky Williams (or any sports personality) as a role model? (As a side point: I'd bet way more Ray Lewis posters, or even Lawrence Taylor posters, are sold to kids than Ricky Williams posters.) My point is that "the children" argument is bogus. Oh, and my follow-up question will involve other sports, specifically the NBA, but I'll save that one.

posted by chicobangs at 02:02 PM - reply - flag:

ESPN's Hank Goldberg is reporting that he didn't in fact miss the test, he flunked it Damn, I was hoping he wasn't that stupid. Oh, well, resume the Dew drinking and Cheeto consumption. In other words, let's Bogart this thread and talk about why weed is cool. Well, maybe later...what?

posted by tselson at 02:24 PM - reply - flag:

...why weed is cool... because I'll be sitting on the couch and look down and realize that I am still holding the bowl and I have been watching Judge Judy for 40 minutes.

posted by njsk8r20 at 02:32 PM - reply - flag:

I fall somewhere close to Weedy and others on this ... He broke the rules - He should be punished - But there is little-to-no reason to cast him as a horrible human-being. The fact that some of us like the weed is immaterial. The question of the laws being justified is immaterial. The fact that there are others in the NFL that are "worse" is immaterial. (no-one should be unaccountable just because someone else did something worse) The worst argument on either side is "who cares - he's not hurting anyone". Really, c'mon. I'm not judging him or you or anyone for smoking, but don't be so blinded by your personal preferences to ignore reality (I like the sauce, but I know it's good for me, and I'll admit that). Even if he (and some of you) refuse to accept the potential health-realted negative impact it has on his health, his play, and therefore his teammates, coaches and ownership - it absolutely and irrefutably has a negative impact on his family, his teammates, coaches and ownership ... simply because he knows the rules, chose to break them (supposedly, if this plays out as it appears), is being made to pay for that, and therefore multiple people suffer. If nothing else, and although I wish Williams the best, this is one thing - and that is Selfish! We're seeing solid and poor posts (don't know which category mine falls into, but at least it has a lot of words) ... I personally think that a bunch of the frustration from both kinds is due to the fact that Williams has unmeasurable talent at something that most (if not all) of us would love to do but can't - let alone he's getting paid ridiculous money to display that talent. Compound that with he was trusted by the league, teammates and fans to "get on the right track", many people feel slighted and betrayed, right or wrong. I frankly don't care about his playing status either way (if anything, I think Ronnie Brown kinda got lost in the shuffle of this), but to me, this an instance of a foolish person (possibly with a problem to be treated) that should be held accountable but not stoned to death. As for "what about the children" ... I agree parents should largely be held accountable. True, kids often initially privately choose what public figures they will treat as role models. However, if you can't show enough interest in your kid to find out what athletes, celebrities, etc they like and explain to them positives/negatives you know to be true about those individuls - shame on you and you have no-one to blame but yourself. On the other side of that coin ... it sure would be nice if parents didn't have to have that negative conversation about so many of these guys.

posted by littleLebowski at 02:48 PM - reply - flag:

Chico...Again you missed what I said. Criminals INTENTIONALLY break the law. People who unintentionally break the law, should be punished, but they should not be viewed a criminal. I also never said that anyone hold up Ricky Williams as a role model (although many kids do) ! Also, Ray Lewis and Lawrence Taylor fall into the same category as Williams... law breaker, criminal, thug, or whatever description turns you on. That they have talent is beside the point. The point being these athletes broke the rules, whatever that rule may be!

posted by nflhou02 at 02:59 PM - reply - flag:

So you're saying some people who commit crimes are not criminals? And then you turn around and lump someone who smoked pot like Williams (not even dealt pot; it was just for personal use) in with violent coke addicts and murderers? You can't have it both ways, nflhou02. If a pot user (not a dealer, a user) like Ricky Williams is as much of a criminal as a murder accomplice like Ray Lewis or a violent repeat-offending coke addict like Lawrence Taylor, (or, oh, a repeat-offending roid freak and pill-head who's been up on assault charges more than once like the slightly-less-black Bill Romanowski), then you're saying a criminal is a criminal is a criminal, regardless of what they did or how much they meant to do it, and to the chair with them. So which is it?

posted by chicobangs at 03:27 PM - reply - flag:

ricky i pray that you find GOD and come to grip that drugs kills but GOD give life

posted by mmp390@verzion.net at 03:27 PM - reply - flag:

Completely understood, Weedy. I just judge more harshly when a guy has gotten four freaking chances. In my eyes, that guy deserves to be removed, as he o

Sunday, February 19, 2006

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