[Update]: It's official now, as Texas has issued a press release confirming the earlier report. It's worth reading, as it sums up all of Ricky's many accomplishments. --Wescott
After an up-and-down NFL career that featured a great deal of success interspersed with some, uh, quirky moments, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting on Tuesday afternoon that former Texas great Ricky Williams is planning on ending that tumultuous career after 11 years in the league.
Williams spent what could end up being his last season as an NFL player serving as the back-up to Ray Rice with the Baltimore Ravens, rushing for 444 yards and two touchdowns. The high mark came late in the season when he went over 10,000 rushing yards for his career, becoming only the 26th player in the history of the NFL to do so.
In 2009 with the Dolphins, Williams surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the first time since 2003, the longest such span between 1,000-yard seasons in history.
But for NFL fans, Williams will probably be more known wearing a helmet during interviews as a result of his social anxiety disorder or posing with Mike Ditka in a wedding dress or abruptly retiring following a series of failed drug tests and returning mostly because he owed the Dolphins a great deal of money after violating his contract.
Texas fans, however, will likely choose to remember him setting the NCAA career rushing record mark against the Aggies on his way to winning a Heisman Trophy during the first season of the Mack Brown era.
If Williams is indeed ready to hang up his cleats, he leaves a legacy as complex as his own personality. It's not particularly easy to make sense of it, but as a player in a league that often demands conformity, Williams clearly walked his own path. It seems commendable that he worked so hard to keep his identity from being completely tied to football, something that should serve him well as he transitions to life after the game.
It also seems that he fell in love with the game again after his return to football and perhaps even found some solace in it. In his late years, he was in excellent shape, ran hard, and still had some of that dynamic ability that made him so successful.
If he's going out, he's going out on top and it's good to know that he won't be one of those former players sitting by the phone waiting for that call that never comes.
Thanks for being true to yourself, Ricky. And hook 'em, always.
0 recs | 22 comments
Run Ricky Run
I know it’s been hard.I’ve been on the cusp of some stories about your condition especially in New Orleans.
Please have a good rest of your life and stay our of rehab.You will always be welcome on the 40 Acres.
TCB Orange Dino - February 7, 2012
Two comments
1) What a cool guy. He bucked a lot of trends, and still worked his butt off. He deserves a rich post-NFL life, and I’m not talking about money.
2) It says a lot about the family at Texas that they’re the ones to put out the press release. That makes me damn proud.
TXinDC - February 7, 2012
Grats on the retirement to him
Also, now that he’s out, I hope he enjoys all the green he wants, preferably in a medical state because having been a player for so long, I’m pretty sure he could get it for pain now.
Darklust - February 7, 2012
MY FAVORITE LONGHORN OF ALL TIMES...
ill never forget watching him light up Baylor for over 300 yards at DKR. One of my favorite games Ive been to(been to well over 100), and it was a blowout.
What he did for Mack and the Texas football program is still being felt today. I wish you the best Ricky, Ill never forget you man.
ACnDaHorns - February 7, 2012
My Ricky Williams story
So I guess now it can be told. Here’s the short version:
This was around 2002-3, during his first stint with the Dolphins. I worked for a television show that shall remain nameless. I was sent to Miami to interview Ricky for the show. This was the thrill of a lifetime — he’d been on campus at the same time I had. The only time I’ve cried in my adult life was when he broke off the long TD run against Aggie to get the rushing record. No joke.
We met at his condo overlooking South Beach. He was not ready on time so I waited on the beach. When Ricky finally let me in, he was very cool, welcoming, and more than a bit stoned. His cousins were staying with him from out of town and it was clear that he and they had enjoyed a smoky breakfast before my arrival.
The interview was not the greatest of my career. Ricky could be well-spoken and deep but he tended to ramble, dissemble, mumble, and go off on tangents. Still, I enjoyed the day. We took a break to get sushi for lunch (I paid). He took me for a ride in his Ferrari, top down, on Beachfront Avenue. Girls in bikinis were waving to him as we drove past. “Hi Ricky!” Yes, I felt cool.
After the interview Ricky invited me to stay and hang with his cousins. I was honored, but as I learned, that’s just how Ricky rolled. Speaking of rolling… Listen, I have been around. I went to college in Austin. I’ve done some things. But let me tell you, this was Heisman weed. I went to a place I’d never been before. For what seemed like hours, I could not say a word. My body tingled. My mind raced. I couldn’t take it any more. Well before it was time to leave — I was next up on XBOX basketball — I just had to get out of there. I was back at my hotel, in bed, before I calmed down and realized that I had just been hanging with my hero, and had left early, cause I’m a lightweight.
The next day I called Ricky to thank him and he wondered why I’d left early. I couldn’t tell him the truth. I said, “I had to get back to my hotel, I had an early flight.” His response? “I wish you’d have told me, I’d have given you a ride to the airport.”
That’s Ricky Williams, my all-time favorite Longhorn, in a nutshell. Happy Trails, Ricky.
windycityhorn - February 7, 2012
Anyone lucky enough to meet Ricky, most likely has a similar story about him (though not every story
will turn into a Half-Baked reference). I met him once his senior year at Texas when he was hanging out with Wane McGarity at Aussies, and you could tell that Ricky and Wane were both just a pair of completely nice guys, real down to earth and genuinely kind. I’m glad to hear he re-kindled his love for the game, and wish him nothing but the best. We love you Ricky, you will always be #34, and enjoy your life away from football, brother.
bevosteve67 - February 7, 2012
He'll always be #11 to me.
I know he was #34 during the Heisman year and #37 in the RRR to honor Doak but I watched him wear #11 for his first 3 years and it looked so good on him. It’s what I got used to. I hated it when he changed. Between Ricky, Major, & DJ, #11 has been pretty awesome in the UT family!
I bought a new 32" TV in ‘98 specifically to watch Ricky run for the Heisman. Then, I bought a 50" plasma in 2009 to watch Colt win the Heisman & the ’Horns win the NC. So much for wishful buying. I guess it’s not an exact science.
robthecob - February 8, 2012
That's a great story and believe me, I would have partied with Ricky, too.
spinmonkey - February 7, 2012
Great Story!
I’m really jealous! How many superstars would open up like that?!
robthecob - February 8, 2012
I will always love Ricky
not so much for his on-field accomplishments (which I thoroughly enjoyed) but for having the guts to bare his quirks for all to see. In the world of football, it’s not easy being a thoughtful oddball. He is a fascinating man.
Best of luck, Ricky. I hope to see you turn up at DKR sometime.
zamm - February 7, 2012
God Bless You Ricky
Ill never forget how you broke that NCAA rushing record
horns1025 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
My favorite Longhorn of all time
Ricky breaking the record against the aggies still one of the best moment I have watched live at DKR.
Wish you all the best Ricky.
desi_horn - February 7, 2012
Thanks Ricky!
Being a Dolphins fan, I’ve had the pleasure of rooting for Ricky on a weekly basis now for 15 years or so. Congratulations on being a great football player, and even more importantly, a unique and independent individual. Good luck in pursuing the multiple other interests you have in your life, I know you’ll find the right path for your happiness and your family’s happiness.
douglaskoehne - February 7, 2012
hall?
ibleedburntorange49-9 - February 7, 2012
Unfortunately, most likely not
I’d love to think Ricky would get a Hall nod, but with so much competition, his storied path over the years, and his perceived lack of passion “just” for the game I think will hurt him. You have Bettis and Tomlison as two sure-fire HOFers. Then you have a whole slew of RBs that you could argue had better, more consistent careers: James, Taylor, Dunn, Lewis, Jones, George. Williams, like Tiki Barber and Corey Dillon, will always have a lingering negative due to off-the-field activities that probably push those other players above them. Not fair really, but probably unavoidable. And I’m sure that no HOF voter would outright say this, but there is a huge bias toward “football guys” versus guys that seem to have a more normal view of their football career. And Ricky probably has the healthiest view of what football is in his life than any other player of the last 25 years (him and maybe Robert Smith of the Vikings).
douglaskoehne - February 8, 2012
Ricky's runs were chronic!
Paleface Horn - February 7, 2012
I remember "the run" as it were yesterday.
Me and my buddy were sitting on the upper tier at DKR and was near the end zone that he scored on. We both were jumping up and down hugging each other. That was the only time me and my buddy ever hugged, haha. Anyway, what Ricky means to me is perseverance. When he was written off by everyone in America, he somehow reinvented himself and came back reformed and a better person and gave it his all. Ricky will always be the best in my book.
spinmonkey - February 7, 2012
Thanks for all you've done Ricky!
This man changed the university. He was the beginning stage of the “family atmosphere” we always here about. A true gentle giant with a beautiful soul. He deserves the best in life and his future endeavors. Run Ricky Run, no matter what you do in life! HOOK EM
STLaw - February 7, 2012
*hear
STLaw - February 8, 2012
Ricky has been such a treat to watch
…both as a player and genuine person on the media. I’m still in awe of how he overcame his vilification through his humility, hard work, and perseverance. Many may forever say he wasted his hall-of-gamer-potential due to his inner struggles (sexual abuse during his childhood, anxiety disorder, and etc), but i think his journey in the public eye makes him far more personable human being than any other sports figure. there is always this air of transparency when he speaks and i respect what kind of model he can be to others.
cheers to you, ricky. it’s been a good run and i hope you become a permanent fixture to the LHN as an analyst/yoga instructor
thismoment - February 7, 2012
Best running back I've ever seen ... and it's not even close.
He could do it all. He did it for 4 full years, as a FB & a HB and did it all w/out injury. Speed, power, agility, bounced right back up after every tackle, great attitude & humility, and made a very talent-challenged team very respectable. I know that Barry Sanders had the one incredible year and some others had good careers as well but Ricky was the perfect back. I can’t very well think of anybody over the past 30 or so years of CFB that would supplant him from being the best. Have you ever seen a back w/ more yards-after-contact? Heck no. He toyed with defenders for 4 years.
I’ll always lament the Saints trading their whole draft for him. It put so much pressure on him and made the rest of the team that much less talented. He was still great while at N’Orleans but had the stigma of being overvalued. His fetish for weed sure didn’t do him any favors either. I’ve always wondered what woulda happened had the Colts taken him instead of Edgerrin James. James was a very good RB for their system but I really think teaming up Peyton & Ricky woulda brought them multiple championships or, at least, a lot stronger team. He was a beast.
robthecob - February 8, 2012
One of my favorite sports figures of all time.
I think he could be an example to those players who play the game just for the paycheck. When I heard his statement about having to change himself to play football, I couldn’t stand it. I was glad to hear that he took his own path wherever that took him, whether it be toward or away from big paychecks.
Ricky, I would have loved to have seen what you could’ve done had you committed and stuck with football all the prime years of your life, but I’m in awe at the fact that, once you didn’t love it anymore, you found something you did. I will always respect you for that, especially compared to the prima donnas that collect NFL paychecks these days.
Good luck.
40A - February 9, 2012
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