BAMAPHIN 22
FinHeaven Elite
On the eve of the NFL draft, Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban had dinner with a former first-round pick: Ricky Williams.
The pairing was surprising, given that the NFL suspended Williams for one year Tuesday after he violated the league's substance abuse policy for the fourth time.
"Ricky came over to the house last night, and we sat on the porch and ate pizza and all that kind of stuff," Saban said Saturday.
A roomful of skeptical reporters laughed, but when a Dolphins spokesman double-checked with Saban, the coach said the story was true.
"Ricky did an outstanding job for us on the field last year," Saban said. "He's a good competitor and a good teammate, and he was never an issue or a problem for us in any way. ... We want to continue to support the player so that he has the best chance to be successful in whatever he chooses to do in his future."
Possibilities for Williams include teaching in California, where he has studied holistic medicine, and playing in the Canadian Football League. After he was suspended, the Toronto Argonauts placed Williams on their negotiation list, meaning they hold his CFL rights.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/04/29/bc.fbn.dolphins.williams.ap/index.html
The pairing was surprising, given that the NFL suspended Williams for one year Tuesday after he violated the league's substance abuse policy for the fourth time.
"Ricky came over to the house last night, and we sat on the porch and ate pizza and all that kind of stuff," Saban said Saturday.
A roomful of skeptical reporters laughed, but when a Dolphins spokesman double-checked with Saban, the coach said the story was true.
"Ricky did an outstanding job for us on the field last year," Saban said. "He's a good competitor and a good teammate, and he was never an issue or a problem for us in any way. ... We want to continue to support the player so that he has the best chance to be successful in whatever he chooses to do in his future."
Possibilities for Williams include teaching in California, where he has studied holistic medicine, and playing in the Canadian Football League. After he was suspended, the Toronto Argonauts placed Williams on their negotiation list, meaning they hold his CFL rights.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/04/29/bc.fbn.dolphins.williams.ap/index.html
