RAMMSTEIN
Registered Trader
Retired Williams Reportedly Re-Enters Drug Program
Agent Says RB Continues to Take Steps Toward Return to Dolphins
Ricky Williams has reportedly taken another step toward rejoining the Miami Dolphins, as his agent told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the NFL has re-entered the running back into its substance-abuse program.
Williams abruptly retired last July, just before training camp, amid speculation of a failed drug test for marijuana. He took the year off, a move that triggered one of the worst seasons in Miami history.
Leigh Steinberg also told the paper that the Dolphins have given Williams a copy of their offseason workout regimen. The former All-Pro was reportedly down to 195 pounds during his hiatus, but Steinberg said Williams is back up to 205 pounds and should continue to regain his strength and conditioning.
"He's confident that his weight and strength are steadily returning, that he'll be in good shape by training camp and that the process will continue throughout training camp," Steinberg was quoted by the paper.
Williams will be a three-time substance-abuse policy offender when the NFL reinstates him this summer. He will likely have to serve a four-game suspension for a third failed drug test, and one more violation will keep him sidelined for a full year.
The 28-year-old Williams appeared set to remain retired, but a Florida judge ruled in February that he had to repay the Dolphins $8.6 million in bonus money after the club claimed breach of contract.
Last September 25, arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled that the former NFL rushing champion had to give back the bonus money he received and U.S. District Court Judge James Cohn upheld the decision nearly five months later.
Williams had penalty clauses inserted into his contract when it was reworked upon his arrival in Miami. The clauses enabled the Dolphins to recoup incentive money and part of his signing bonus if he did not finish out the remainder of the deal.
The retirement was the first step in what turned into a dismal 2004 season for the Dolphins, who went from a 10-win team in 2003 to just 4-12 last year. The club also suffered through a quarterback controversy and the resignation of head coach Dave Wannstedt.
Nick Saban was named the new head coach earlier this year and set in motion Williams' return.
For his career, which has spanned only five seasons, Williams has rushed for 6,354 yards and 41 touchdowns. In two seasons with Miami, he had 3,225 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns while also nabbing two receiving TDs.
Williams was first drafted by New Orleans with the fifth overall pick in 1999 after winning the Heisman Trophy at Texas and spent three years with the Saints before being traded to Miami. His best season came in his first year with the Dolphins in 2002, when he ran for 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns in 16 games.
06/16/05 16:20 ET
Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Agent Says RB Continues to Take Steps Toward Return to Dolphins
Ricky Williams has reportedly taken another step toward rejoining the Miami Dolphins, as his agent told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the NFL has re-entered the running back into its substance-abuse program.
Williams abruptly retired last July, just before training camp, amid speculation of a failed drug test for marijuana. He took the year off, a move that triggered one of the worst seasons in Miami history.
Leigh Steinberg also told the paper that the Dolphins have given Williams a copy of their offseason workout regimen. The former All-Pro was reportedly down to 195 pounds during his hiatus, but Steinberg said Williams is back up to 205 pounds and should continue to regain his strength and conditioning.
"He's confident that his weight and strength are steadily returning, that he'll be in good shape by training camp and that the process will continue throughout training camp," Steinberg was quoted by the paper.
Williams will be a three-time substance-abuse policy offender when the NFL reinstates him this summer. He will likely have to serve a four-game suspension for a third failed drug test, and one more violation will keep him sidelined for a full year.
The 28-year-old Williams appeared set to remain retired, but a Florida judge ruled in February that he had to repay the Dolphins $8.6 million in bonus money after the club claimed breach of contract.
Last September 25, arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled that the former NFL rushing champion had to give back the bonus money he received and U.S. District Court Judge James Cohn upheld the decision nearly five months later.
Williams had penalty clauses inserted into his contract when it was reworked upon his arrival in Miami. The clauses enabled the Dolphins to recoup incentive money and part of his signing bonus if he did not finish out the remainder of the deal.
The retirement was the first step in what turned into a dismal 2004 season for the Dolphins, who went from a 10-win team in 2003 to just 4-12 last year. The club also suffered through a quarterback controversy and the resignation of head coach Dave Wannstedt.
Nick Saban was named the new head coach earlier this year and set in motion Williams' return.
For his career, which has spanned only five seasons, Williams has rushed for 6,354 yards and 41 touchdowns. In two seasons with Miami, he had 3,225 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns while also nabbing two receiving TDs.
Williams was first drafted by New Orleans with the fifth overall pick in 1999 after winning the Heisman Trophy at Texas and spent three years with the Saints before being traded to Miami. His best season came in his first year with the Dolphins in 2002, when he ran for 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns in 16 games.
06/16/05 16:20 ET
Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
