Ranting on Ricky
I'm about to do something that I rarely do and something that I truely hate to do. However, it must be done, in my opinion. The "Sportz Assassin" from AOL's Fanhouse has written an article that anyone could easily write. I say this because it is without any thought behind it. It's simply ranting and raving about Ricky. The article is called "Ricky Williams is Officially a Pot Head."
Like I said, I hate to go after fellow bloggers because it hurts the world of sports blogs as a whole, especially when we are both covering the same team. But this article just goes to show you how an igonrant person can just go and attack a guy without correct facts and without much thought behind his writing.
Point #1: Incorrect facts. He says:
They aren't recommending the NFL "say no" to the reinstatement. They are suggesting the NFL push back the decision until September. Though there's a chance Commissioner Goodell could say "no," it certainly would not make sense for doctors to voice their opinions on whether or not Ricky should be reinstated.
Point #2: Calling Ricky a "pot head." He writes:
He's correct in saying Ricky owes Miami a lot of money. But you can't assume that is the ONLY reason why he wanted to come back and play. But regardless, who the hell is the "Sportz Assassin" to call Ricky a "pot head"? That's what I want to know. None of us have the right to label Ricky anything negative (like a "pot head") because none of us have ever had to walk in his shoes. The "Sportz Assassin" forgets to point out the fact that Ricky suffers from social anxiety disorder, which is a real disorder and one that none of us can begin to understand unless we also have it. And if you remember back when Ricky gave his interview to "60 Minutes," he has said that smoking marijuana has helped him better than any prescribed medicine has ever helped him in dealing with his disorder. So calling somebody a "pot head" without fully understanding why he does what he does is just plain igorant!
Point #3: Ricky doesn't owe us anything. He writes:
This is way out of line. I can't believe the "Sportz Assassin" says Ricky is screwing us! How is he screwing us? Ricky Williams doesn't owe me, you, the "Sportz Assassin", or anyone else ANYTHING!! (With the exception of the money owed to the Fins) But Ricky Williams is not screwing us. He doesn't have to answer to us. More importantly, we should not be holding anything against Ricky because, like I said, we are not owed a damn thing from Ricky! The only people Ricky needs to answer to are his family members, close friends, and most importantly, himself. That's it. Nobody else. Period.
It's clear that either Ricky's heart isn't in football or his social anxiety disorder just won't allow him to have fun in the spotlight that would be on him if he came back to football. And you know what...that's fine with me. If he is happy with his life, who are we to judge him at all.
I, personally, hope that whatever Ricky does with the rest of his life, he's happy doing it. And when we look back on the legacy of Ricky Williams, we can all look back and say that he was one hell of a running back when he was able to play, but wasn't as happy as he could be while playing. Therefore, he chose a different, more simple life. And who are we to judge him?
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25 comments
Comments
That and more...
The NFL, a league with plenty of thugs (see above examples and/or the Bengals for more) no HgH test, little or no help for retired players with chronic injuries and/or concussions - hasn't exactly demonstrated model behavior.
Ricky Williams owes us nothing. When you think of the money he owes the team, realize that the Dolphins have cut many players and had to pay them because of their contracts (Culpepper will be dealt like this).
Williams won't be on the team, and that's that. Ripping him or saying he's a loser, is out of order. It is his life, live and let be.
by Natalya on May 11, 2007 3:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i love you man, but
I don't care if his illness is his excuse for doping. There are tons of people out there with social anxiety disorder (my aunt being one of them) and they live normal healthy lives without the help of mary-jane.
Not only that, did Ricky start smoking the ganga from the womb? It's mighty odd that this problem became a HUGE ordeal when he made it to the nfl (and made all that money).
Don't get me wrong, I dont wish any harm on the guy, but its pretty half ass when all you have to do is stop smoking tree to continue playing football (which he obviously wants to do considering his reinstatement)
by JScott on May 11, 2007 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OK
Secondly, the man clearly couldn't handle the spotlight with his socialanxiety disorder. I'm sorry to hear your aunt has it, but that's different. She isn't under the intense, intense scrutiny that Ricky Williams is under. Like I said, don't judge the man unless you have walked in his shoes. It's that simple. Labeling him as a "pot head" is ignorant and shows a certain maturity level from the person doing the labeling.
by Matty I on May 11, 2007 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea
how is labeling the guy a "Pot Head" ignorant? Here's the definition of a Pot Head (aka Ricky Williams) - someone who smokes marijuana habitually - Princeton.edu. Ricky Williams clearly has a habit (custom, routine, tradition, pattern, tendency, inclination) of smoking pot.
Have you never criticized the Miami Dolphins organization (Head Coach, GM, Owner, etc)? Surely you have, considering the on going debacle that is your quarterback situation.
Let me clarify something. I'm not using "Pot Head" to give a negative connotation to Ricky Williams, its just what he is. He's not any less of a person, its just who he is.
by JScott on May 11, 2007 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
Next, you can't group him in with those who do it for recreation. The dude said it helps him with his disorder. Like it or not, he shouldnt be put in the same group as a bunch of people who use weed for fun. And you can't say he does it routinely because he had been clean for some time now. If April is his first failed test during his suspension, then it's pretty clear that he probably did it because of the stress he was under about returning to the NFL...stress that stems from a psychological disorder he has.
Lastly, I have criticized the Dolphins organization, including players, coaches, and GMs. But never on a personal basis like Ricky is going through. I never attack a person's character the way some have attacked Ricky's and I don't see how you can not feel bad for the guy.
by Matty I on May 11, 2007 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
phin
the guy got suspended for a YEAR!!!! for drug abuse!! That my friend is a routine drug user, a Pot Head, a habitual user. If Ricky is the only person in the world that benefits from marijuana use do to social anxiety, what does that say?
i guarentee the league would over look his Marijuna test results were he taking prescribed marijuana pills. BUT HE'S NOT!
Whatever though, I'm a Bucs fan and could really careless about Ricky Williams and his drug addiction. Its really sad that he blames an anxiety disorder for his drug use. That's the first step of denial. Also, Ricky deserves his character to be ripped to shreds. He walked out on the team without so much as a phone call. Did you forget that? I dont see how anyone can have sympathy for "The Rick." He's brought all of this upon hisself.
I mean think about it. The guy can stay clean and is willing to stay clean for an entire season, but can't because he's a drug addict. What a waste.
and please don't think I'm trying to belittle you or anything, this is purely a healthy debate!
by JScott on May 11, 2007 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JScott
Ricky wasn't tested positiv for smoking marijuana the last 3 years.
by holle66 on May 12, 2007 6:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok
Second, prescribed marijuana pills???? You do realize that medical marijuana is not legal...yet, at least. So that wasn't an option.
Thirdly, the reason he retired was because he knew he had failed a drug test and he didn't want to serve the suspension. So why was bailing the right thing to do? Because his heart wasn't in the game anymore. It's no secret he came back to the Dolphins because of the moeny he would have had to pay. But in reality, he simply didn't love the game. And I won't be ignorant and blame him for quitting a job that he simply didn't enjoy anymore.
But hey, some people rip the character of others as a way to feel better about themsevles...
by Matty I on May 12, 2007 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky
by dplunk on May 11, 2007 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Right on, Phinatic.
That final paragraph sums up my thoughts exactly. A bittersweet ending to a bittersweet career. Good luck, Ricky.
by CapedCrusader on May 11, 2007 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
official statement
by YatilGinnJr on May 11, 2007 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dont make sense....
Second, have we ever heard what his last suspension was really for??? All I remember hearing was that it WASN'T marijuana. Never heard what it actually was!!!
Third, why would Ricky go @ 2 yrs without smoking pot then 1 month before getting reinstated start smoking again???? Doesn't make any sense to me.
I smell a witch hunt by the NFL (Goodell)
by Hudman on May 11, 2007 6:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One more thing.....
by Hudman on May 11, 2007 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good points
by dplunk on May 11, 2007 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
very good points
by Matty I on May 11, 2007 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like these guys..........
by Hudman on May 11, 2007 11:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So you also think....
Because, believe it or not, I've read quite a few humber of opinions that think there is more to this than just failing a test for marijuana.
by Matty I on May 12, 2007 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
official statement....
``Due to the recent reports about me failing a drug test, I feel it is appropriate for me to issue this statement. Last month, following a psychological evaluation requested by the NFL, we -- the psychiatrist and I -- came to the realization that there were a few things I needed to iron out about myself in order to make my return to the NFL as successful as possible.
``I am an honest, God-fearing man who is intensely dedicated to being the best person I can be on and off the football field. There is no need to smear my name or to defame my character for the sake of news. When the time is right, God willing, I will be back on the field scoring touchdowns for whatever team is fortunate enough to believe in me.
``I appreciate all the support I have received from my fans and I assure all others that I am strong, clean, and happily preparing myself for a triumphant return to the NFL.''
I guess what he needs to "iron out" is to get off the depedanance on weed to alleviate his stress disorder. Our potential 3nd round pick for him to STL just went down to about a 6th or 7th.
by YatilGinnJr on May 12, 2007 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think.....
by Hudman on May 12, 2007 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If it's true......
by Hudman on May 12, 2007 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The truth might be.....
"Source" heard......Ricky and pot.
by Hudman on May 12, 2007 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
interesting theory
by Matty I on May 13, 2007 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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