From Dolphin to Argonaut

Ricky Williams has the potential to be, and probably is, one of the best running backs in the NFL. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1998 and was a first round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints in 1999. The Miami Dolphins in many ways felt very lucky to get Williams in a trade in 2002.

But now he’s going to be playing with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts.

Back in December, 2003 Williams failed an NFL drug test, testing positive for marijuana. This wasn’t Williams’ first failed drug test. He had failed a drug test soon after being drafted by the Dolphins. Williams was faced with a $650,000 fine and a four-game suspension going into the 2004-2005 football season. Rumored to have failed a third drug test, Williams announced his retirement.

Williams did return to the Dolphins in the 2005-2006 season, and immediately served his four game suspension. In February, 2006 it was revealed that Williams had failed yet another drug test which resulted in his being suspended from the NFL for one year, and has to apply for reinstatement by the NFL commissioner for the 2007 season.

In the meantime Ricky Williams didn’t want to stop playing football. He was offered a position with the Toronto Argonauts. After some back and forth the Dolphins agreed to allow Williams to play for the Argonauts. In addition, if the NFL at any point in the next year decides to terminate Williams’ contract then the Argonauts can pick him up outright.

But was this the right decision? I don’t want to deny anyone their livelihood, but at the same time is allowing Williams to play football in another league going against the original intent of the suspension? What lesson will Williams learn, if any?

Former Toronto Argonaut, Washington Redskins quarterback, and NFL MVP Joe Theismann has come forward criticizing the decision. He has gone so far as to say that he is embarrassed to have been a Toronto Argonaut because of the decision to allow Williams to play for them. He even calls Williams a “disgrace” and states that he “doesn’t deserve to play football.”

This really has become a hot button issue to many. Is it fair to let Williams play outside of the NFL once the NFL suspends him? Is it a slap in the face to the NFL rules and regulations? And what will happen if Williams tests positive while playing for the Argonauts (assuming that the CFL has drug testing)? Only time will tell.