I'll start by saying this post isnt intended to start a debate as to whether or not pot should be legal. The fact is it is illegal right now and the NFL tests for it. This post is also not intended to start a debate regarding what a person should be able to do or not as a free individual.
THIS POST IS ABOUT POT RUINING RICKY WILLIAMS CAREER, AND HOW RICKY WILLIAMS USE OF POT HAS HURT THIS FOOTBALL TEAM.
From the Herald:
Report: Williams Said He Failed Drug Test
Associated Press
"MIAMI - Retired Dolphins running back Ricky Williams said he failed a third drug test for marijuana use, which would cost him a four-game suspension if he decides to return to the NFL, The Miami Herald reported on its Web site Thursday.
Williams told the newspaper that marijuana played a larger role in his retirement than he indicated when he walked away after just five pro seasons. He said he learned of the failed test and possible suspension days before telling coach Dave Wannstedt last week that he was through playing.
Williams said, however, that there were "a hundred reasons" for his surprising decision to retire, and his desire to continue smoking marijuana was only one of them.
"I didn't quit football because I failed a drug test," he told the Herald. "I failed a drug test because I was ready to quit football."
Williams said he's not addicted to marijuana."
I know I'm a conservative when it comes to social issues. I also understand that being conservative isn't always the right point of view. I don't think any point of view is always right, whether it be a liberal or conservative view.
However, this post is about the reality of the situation between Ricky Williams and the Miami Dolphins and NFL.
I've said Ricky is immature. I stand by that. This entire ordeal IMO of world travel and retirement is Ricky Williams running from the 3 failed drug tests. He now has failed 3 drug tests as a Miami Dolphin. As a coach, I find that totally irresponsible to his teammates and the organization. He has chosen to smoke dope over being a Miami Dolphin. He's embarrassed the organization, hurt his reputation, and done possible career ending damage on himself. His pot use has now hurt the team.....OFFICIALLY. It doesnt matter if Pot isn't as bad as alcohol, or as bad as cigarettes.....because they aren't illegal. Pot is illegal right now, so it's the source of the immature decision.
It's all part of a big game in life that says "here is what you can do and here is what you can't do"...right now. Rules can always change, but for now it is what it is....Pot is illegal.
Ricky Williams is immature and selfish because he chose a simple pleasure (Smoking pot) over doing the responsible thing. He let down us as DOLFANS, his coaches and his teammates. He can be the new poster boy for those TV ads about how smoking weed can cost you and your teammates. I guess it was too much to ask him to give up weed for the status he has in society, and not to mention the millions of dollars he gets for playing and millions of fans who love to watch him play. It was too much to ask him to not smoke pot so that he could be in the NFL, or the Cornerstone of the Miami Dolphins Offense. It was to much to ask him to refrain from pot smoking for now so that he could present a higher image of himself for kids that admire him.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with what is going on with the drug tests, the reality of the situation is that Ricky Williams will not be able to continue on the path he has chosen for himself the way the rules are now in his life. He currently is heading into a 4 game suspension that has hurt his team after failing his 3rd drug test could soon find himself out for the year.
He is on the brink of losing it all. He's proven himself to be immature, dishonest, disloyal, unreliable, and unwilling to make the situation right. How typical is it that he ran away after that 3rd failed test. How typical that he still doesn't understand that failing a 3rd test is a whole different animal than failing 1 drug test. Ricky says he isn't addicted to Pot? Tell me, isn't the most clear sign of addiction when something starts to screw your life up? When you hurt relationships, or you work, etc for a drug? Ok Ricky...you chose. Either your addicted and need help or you are immature and need to grow up. Either way you have the power to bring this all full circle by simply keeping the blunt out of your mouth for a few more years.
I guess it's tough to appreciate people that are so immature and selfish that they engage in behavior that they know hurts themselves and others but don't care enough to alter that behavior. If Ricky wants to be a pothead he has the rest of his life to be a pothead. He only has a few years left where he can be an elite RB in the NFL.
Now that we know the retirement was really not about "lost fire" and that he was in reality running from another failed drug test and impending suspension, I think it's fair to say Ricky is immature and selfish in his pot smoking. One of the greatest enjoyments in life is the benefits of being part of a team and we'd all love to be in Ricky's situation as the Tailback of the Miami Dolphins, and the organizations most marketed player since Dan Marino. Ricky needs to grow up folks and look in the mirror and decide what kind of man he's going to be. Is his legacy going to be that he's irresponsible, dishonest, unreliable, etc? Or is he going to accept the responsiblity that comes with the gift he's been given?
I'm a DOLFAN and a Ricky Williams fan. But words can't express my disappointment with his decision to smoke pot over the TEAM.
I really hope Ricky Williams makes this situation right. He's a young man and he has a tremendous spotlight on him. Sometimes that isnt always fair. He deserves (like we all do) a chance to make things right. I think he'll get that chance, I only hope he takes it and learns from it.
