We all know by now that Ricky is tuning his back on football, and the Dolphins.
We all feel the resentment, the dispair, the betrayal. We all wonder why and how someone like Ricky Williams can toss away all that God given talent, and how he can waste what would have been an illustrious career. I know I'm not alone in feeling the anger at what he's done... to wait until the worst possible moment to make this irresponsible move. It's not his decision to retire that angers me... it's the timing. The Dolphins have been very good to him, and for him these last couple of years, he couldn't have done a better job at showing his lack of appreciation, or loyalty. I can only stand here and shake my head. Is the season completely lost? Well... perhaps, perhaps not... we all have to wait and see. Is griping about Ricky the purpose of this seemingly redundant thread? No.
This all comes down to why I, and those like me, are fans. It hurts the TEAM. I, like so many of you, am a fan of the Miami Dolphins. First and foremost. Have I been a fan of Ricky? Heck yeah! who among us hasn't? However, it's been because he was a Dolphin that I was a fan of his. I've heard this statement many times, by many members of this site:
"I'm a fan of the team, not just a player"
THAT statement is why I created this thread... something I don't often do.
The fact that Ricky is gone, has but ONE single positive outcome that I can see in the near future. That is that the bandwagoners, the fans-come-latley, the people who "became" Dolphin fans because of Ricky... will finally pack up their carpet bags, and head off to a different team.
This will thin the crowd... the true fans remaining... those that were not true fans will dissapear into the woodwork as fast as they came.
For all his alledged negativity, and controversial posts on this site, there is one member here who IMO stands out like a beacon... a posterboy for fans, if you will... A shining example of someone who will always remain true to the TEAM, no matter who is running the football... is Fin-atic. Fans like him, while not always popular in their views (Lord knows, I haven't always agreed with him), will be the LAST people to stop being a fan, because one bone-headed superstar called it quits. ( hate singling anyone out... but this guy really is a die-hard fan...sorry Fin-atic)
Others... and I'm sure we'll all see who they are... will simply find another team to root for. To them, I say Good Riddance. It will be nice to not have those "fans" around anymore...
As for me... I've been a Dolphin fan since long before Ricky Williams was born... and will continue to be a Dolphin fan until the day I die... no matter how good, nor how bad the upcoming season looks, I'll always have hope, I'll always cheer them on, and I'll always wear my Aqua and Orange with pride.
Those of you who are of the same mind... stick around, we have a LOT to talk about, wonder about, and hope for...
Is the title of this thread directed at Ricky?... no...it's for those that aren't with us... the bandwagon stops here... time for you to get off... and stay off!