04/17/24
February 26, 2006
So his coach offers support? Buy him a jockstrap.: Why do NFL coaches abound that refuse to hold behavioral standards for their players? It's simple. Their employers don't require it. Supporting this guy (and his appeals) is dumb. If he wins his appeal, how much you want to bet he gets caught again NEXT season?
I know that this is Ricky Williams we're talking about, but we do have to consider him "innocent until proven guilty." All Saban is doing is following the rules that the NFLPA and the owners have agreed on in their contract. Confidentiality should be enforced, no matter who it is.
posted by wingnut4life at 10:48 AM on February 26, 2006
we do have to consider him "innocent until proven guilty With all due respect: Unless "we" are jurors in a courtroom, we can consider him guilty based on his prior behavior if we so choose. I hold Ricky to a higher standard precisely because he's screwed himself, his team and his fans repeatedly; he deserves no benefit of the doubt no many how many yards per carry he averages.
posted by alumshubby at 12:46 PM on February 26, 2006
Ricky needs help! He is "troubled" and will not get well without years of therapy. This is not your typical drug addict. He has real mental issue he is not dealing with. Unfortunately in the next few years we will read "Former NFL great Ricky Williams found ..... The cause is under investigation..... He never reached his potential... The bong is mightier than the sword. Sad!!! He had the chance to do a lot of positive things for the mentally ill.
posted by IHATELIBERALS at 01:01 PM on February 26, 2006
There's nothing wrong with weed! It's not a performance enhancer, its a medical treatment. Every week they hand Ricky the ball and tell him to run right at guys that are 6'7" 350lbs, over and over and over again. Personally, I think a person would have to be high to agree to do that.
posted by budpatient at 01:18 PM on February 26, 2006
That's funny. Either that or you have to pay them a huge pile of money. Ricky wasn't getting that anymore, so maybe he said "#$@% it"... or maybe he said "#$@% it.......(cough cough).... ere" I think it shouldn't be banned, but it is, and you should be smart enough to know it isnt worth losing an NFL career. Even his few backers must be thinking he's a moron now. "nothing wrong with weed" Well, it does fill your lungs with crap. Man, last night was great, but I can barely breathe right now.
posted by Pabo at 01:50 PM on February 26, 2006
Once again, none of you knows the specifics of the case. Once again, that doesn't stop you from acting like you do. Guess what? Every single one of us will be "found" one day. I've read stupider statements on this subject, but not by very much. I miss SportsFilter.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:59 PM on February 26, 2006
The_Black_Hand -- I don't understand what you are talking about. How specific do you need to get. Ricky Williams has been tested positive for drugs more 3 times (YES -- Marijuana is an ILLEGAL drug, like it or not). Is it a far stretch that he would be caught a fourth time. Ricky Williams has done nothing but show a complete disregard for the rules of the NFL. They should ban him from the game. As for Saban, he is an idiot if he thinks that backing Williams makes him look like a "players coach". I would venture to guess that most players don't want to put up with a distraction like him anymore.
posted by mcstan13 at 02:30 PM on February 26, 2006
There's nothing wrong with weed! It's not a performance enhancer, its a medical treatment. Every week they hand Ricky the ball and tell him to run right at guys that are 6'7" 350lbs, over and over and over again. Personally, I think a person would have to be high to agree to do that. posted by budpatient at 1:18 PM CST on February 26 AMEN! Sing it Brother! Hell there ain't enough weed in the world that'd get me out there, but if works for him more power. It's time to stop testing for weed in pro sports! If it was 'roids or something that'd give him an advantage, then fine, but weed is no worse then if he had a drink or two the night before the game. And no, he does NOT have any obligation to be a role model for anyone. He is just another person doing a job so if your kids look up to him (or other players) more then you then you're the one with the problem, not him.
posted by commander cody at 04:54 PM on February 26, 2006
mcstan13, you really need to read the facts about this latest test. Yes, dope is illegal, but that is not what was found in Williams' latest failed test. The latest test involved a drug other than marijuana. For all we know, it could be some freaky shit in one of his Indian retreat meals! Saban might be an idiot, but he still has to follow the collective bargaining agreement and adhere to players' test results being private. He has to say all the right stuff and be all nicey-nicey. Don't always believe what you hear. After all, this all started out of Denver, where the rumor was that the Broncos and Dolphins were in trade talks for.......Ricky Williams!
posted by wingnut4life at 05:06 PM on February 26, 2006
I do not agree with a lot of you guys, saying that weed is OK. There was a family on my block that was involved in an auto accident, where the perp was sky high on grass. If you still think its ok talk to your local insurance agent, get the stats.
posted by westcoast at 05:20 PM on February 26, 2006
Oh I don't think it's ok to drive high, but I also don't think personal use at home should keep anyone out of a job any more then if he has a few beers after work.
posted by commander cody at 05:29 PM on February 26, 2006
commander, it all depends on what and where. If you are smoking dope, you can't go to work and drive to or from work. Only problem with weedheads is they (like Ricky Williams) begin to think that the rules apply only to everyone besides them. Marijuana is (in a few cases, not all) approved for MEDICAL USE ONLY, and not for use whenever the hell you want it to be used. Your key words are, 'a few beers after work' and 'personal use at home'. Williams doesn't (and didn't) just smoke it at home, any more than most drunk drivers get in accidents after three beers while driving home. It's when they get so far PAST the three tokes or three beers that they don't remember that the problems arise.
posted by mrhockey at 05:44 PM on February 26, 2006
I wonder how much Saban really supports Ricky and how much he is just playing the role of a "players coach" and thinking about future free agency prospects and trying to have peace in the locker room.