"New city, same story for ex-Saint"
New city, same story for ex-Saint
06/23/02
By Jeff Duncan
Staff writer/The Times-Picayune
Ricky Williams wasn't born making tabloid headlines. It just seems that way.
During his three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, the running back made news for conducting interviews in his helmet, wearing a wedding dress, signing with representatives of rapper Master P. and receiving a speeding ticket for going 126 mph.
In March, the Saints traded Williams and his cumbersome off-the-field baggage to Miami. The Dolphins trumpeted the trade as a final step toward the Super Bowl. Williams declared it a much-needed "fresh start" to his NFL career.
So far, it's been less a new start than a continuance of old habits.
Amazingly, the Ricky Episodes, as his mother Sandy calls them, have occurred at an even greater rate in South Beach than in the Big Easy.
In the past two months, Williams has had four incidents with the local police.
Cops made two after-midnight visits to Williams' Fort Lauderdale home to warn him that his garage door was open.
During an incident May 29, an officer "observed a BMW sports utility vehicle in the driveway with an unlocked door and a single key in the ignition. There was also a Ferrari convertible in the garage with the top down and a single ignition key plus alarm remote in plain view on the center console."
Williams and the police had another run-in June 5, when he was stopped for driving 48 mph in a 35-mph zone. The police report, obtained by the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, said Williams had no driver's license and was on a cell phone and told the officer, "to wait . . . while continuing his conversation for about 30 more seconds."
Williams says the police hassled him because he was a professional athlete.
The police report states: "Williams said, ‘Shouldn't you be somewhere eating doughnuts?' (and) ‘Did you even graduate from high school?' I advised Williams that we have heard them all and his reply was, ‘I wasn't (expletive) talking to you! Just write your (expletive) ticket you (expletive)!' "
The fourth incident occurred Tuesday, when police ticketed Williams for driving with expired tags, no registration, no driver's license and no proof of insurance.
To make matters worse, Williams, in the wake of Thursday's traffic incident, accused local authorities of racial profiling in a Miami Herald column. That hardly helped Dolphins officials, who were quietly trying behind the scenes to repair the relationship between their new running back and the police.
Whether Williams is a victim, as he claims in the Miami Herald this week, or an arrogant, unappreciated troublemaker, as the police say, is anybody's guess.
What is certain: This is the last thing the Dolphins wanted when they traded for Williams and the last thing Williams needed in his quest for a fresh start.
Williams' struggles with, and aversion to, the New Orleans media were well-documented. His recent incidents -- right or wrong -- will only stir the hornets' nest that is the south Florida media, one of the most intense news markets in the league. Not a good thing for the ultra-shy Williams.
Now you know why there were more than a few knowing smiles at Saints camp this week.
All has been quiet at Airline Drive headquarters for the past month. Meantime, Charles Grant, the rookie defensive end whom the Saints acquired with the Dolphins' first-round draft pick in April, looks like a future star, and the team will receive another draft pick in 2003.
ON THE SAINTS BEAT: Grant opened some eyes when he whipped bad-boy left tackle Kyle Turley during a scuffle in a closed practice last week. Insiders say Grant body-slammed Turley and landed a couple of blows to the head before teammates intervened. . . . Newcomers who made the most favorable impressions at this weekend's minicamp, according to a random sampling of coaches and players: right tackle Victor Riley, wide receiver Jerome Pathon, tight end David Sloan and left guard Kendyl Jacox. . . . Second-year wide receiver Michael Lewis has improved his strength and receiving skills and might be the most improved player on the team, according to club officials. . . . Of the rookie free agents, cornerback Kevin House, running back Ricky Williams (before he was hurt), and offensive tackle P.J. Alexander have made the most favorable impressions. . . . The Saints plan to wear gold jerseys for their Dec. 1 home game against Tampa Bay on ESPN, Coach Jim Haslett said.