The Baltimore Ravens lose running back in mid-contract
Ricky Williams announced his retirement Tuesday. The 34-year-old Baltimore Ravens running back has played in the NFL for 11 seasons since being drafted 1999 from the University of Texas, where he was a two-time All-American and Heisman Trophy winner. But, will Ricky Williams actually stay in retirement this time?
Williams originally retired from the NFL back in 2004, at the age of 27, only to return back to the game in July of the following year. Talks of retirement also circulated around the running back in 2009, but he stayed in the league and played with the Baltimore Ravens for the 2011 season. Williams’ initial retirement came on the heels of him testing positive for Marijuana, receiving a four-game suspension and $650,000 fine.
On the Baltimore Ravens website this past month, Williams was quoted saying, “My body feels good and I know I’m going to train hard and so I’m excited about next year … I’ve grown a lot, kind of falling into a new role and a new city and a new organization, and I’ve gotten better. And like everyone else, I feel like I have something to build on for next year.”
Though, Williams’ announcement comes just after he signed with Baltimore last August for a two-year deal. He played last year as a reserve for Ray Rice, running for 444 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
“The NFL has been an amazing page in this chapter of my life,” Williams stated of his current retirement. “I pray that all successive adventures offer me the same potential for growth, success and most importantly, fun. … As for what’s next, I am excited about all the opportunities ahead — continuing my education, running The Ricky Williams Foundation and whatever other opportunities present themselves.”
Williams is also the 26th player in the history of the NFL to reach 10,000 yards rushing, and he led the NFL in 202 with 1,853 yards rushing. He was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints and later played for the Miami Dolphins.
But, one question still remains, Will Ricky Williams return to football, or is he serious about ending his career for good?
