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Ricky Williams asks league to clarify status
NFL.com wire reports
NEW YORK (Oct. 5, 2004) -- Ricky Williams has asked the NFL for a hearing to clarify his playing status, a possible first step if the running back tries to return to the league.
His request was confirmed by a source within the league, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello had no comment and Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.
The fomer Miami Dolphins running back announced his retirement just before training camp. He subsequently was ordered by an arbitrator to repay more than $8.6 million to the team for breaching his contract.
The source said no date had been scheduled for the hearing.
"This is an issue between the player, his representative and the league," Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said. "Accordingly, we don't have a comment on the matter."
Williams has given many reasons why he called Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt days before workouts were to begin in July to tell him he was quitting. At different times, Williams has expressed displeasure with his contract, an excessive workload and new offensive coordinator Chris Foerster.
Williams has acknowledged testing positive for marijuana three times, which means if he decides to return he could face a one-year suspension.
Under league rules, a player in the NFL's drug program faces a suspension if he returns in the calendar year after he announces his retirement. If he returns after a year, he faces a lesser suspension.
The award made to the Dolphins by arbitrator Richard Bloch involved bonus money included in the contract that ran through 2007. After mailing a letter to Williams asking him either to report or pay the money back, the team filed the request for arbitration.
The Dolphins have started the season 0-4 and may be headed toward their first losing season since 1988. They have scored only two touchdowns in four games without Williams, who rushed for 3,225 in two seasons after being obtained in a trade with New Orleans.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7769986
NFL.com wire reports
NEW YORK (Oct. 5, 2004) -- Ricky Williams has asked the NFL for a hearing to clarify his playing status, a possible first step if the running back tries to return to the league.
His request was confirmed by a source within the league, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello had no comment and Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.
The fomer Miami Dolphins running back announced his retirement just before training camp. He subsequently was ordered by an arbitrator to repay more than $8.6 million to the team for breaching his contract.
The source said no date had been scheduled for the hearing.
"This is an issue between the player, his representative and the league," Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said. "Accordingly, we don't have a comment on the matter."
Williams has given many reasons why he called Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt days before workouts were to begin in July to tell him he was quitting. At different times, Williams has expressed displeasure with his contract, an excessive workload and new offensive coordinator Chris Foerster.
Williams has acknowledged testing positive for marijuana three times, which means if he decides to return he could face a one-year suspension.
Under league rules, a player in the NFL's drug program faces a suspension if he returns in the calendar year after he announces his retirement. If he returns after a year, he faces a lesser suspension.
The award made to the Dolphins by arbitrator Richard Bloch involved bonus money included in the contract that ran through 2007. After mailing a letter to Williams asking him either to report or pay the money back, the team filed the request for arbitration.
The Dolphins have started the season 0-4 and may be headed toward their first losing season since 1988. They have scored only two touchdowns in four games without Williams, who rushed for 3,225 in two seasons after being obtained in a trade with New Orleans.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7769986
