NFL: Williams apologizes for leaving

DAVIE, Florida (Ticker) -- Ricky Williams issued an apology to the players, coaches and fans of the Miami Dolphins. It came too late for Dave Wannstedt but was readily accepted by Nick Saban. - NFL Football -
Williams addressed the media at training camp Monday, nearly a year after he stunned the Dolphins and the NFL by announcing he would not play in 2004.
"I realize making the decision to walk away from football affected the team in a negative way," Williams said. "I realize I hurt the team and the fans and am very regretful that people were hurt in the process. - NFL Football -
"I can see how leaving the team to experience things outside of football came off as being selfish, so I offer an apology to all the people that were negatively affected by my decision."
Without their leading rusher, the Dolphins struggled offensively and finished 4-12, their worst record since 1969. Wannstedt resigned as coach after the team lost eight of its first nine games.
Williams' return coincides with the arrival of Saban, who left Louisiana State to coach the Dolphins. - NFL Football -
"He apologized to the team and I haven't noticed any resentment from the players," Saban said. "We will try to support him in every way. I don't think there's any question he has shown the ability to play effective football in this league."
The somewhat eccentric Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns in two years with the Dolphins after being acquired from New Orleans. Last season, Miami ranked second-to-last in the league in rushing (83.7 yards per game) with backs Travis Minor, Lamar Gordon, Leonard Henry and Sammy Morris unable to fill the enormous void.
Saban selected Auburn running back Ronnie Brown with the second overall pick in the April draft. Brown has yet to sign a contract. - NFL Football -
If and when Browns reports, he will have to compete with Williams, who faces a four-game suspension at the start of the regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Williams admitted to failing a third drug test for marijuana use after leaving the team last July.
"I've had a problem with some of the (NFL) rules," said Williams, who was sporting a thick, unkempt beard. "But I've learned a lot in the last year. I used to think freedom was doing what you wanted whenever you wanted. Now I believe freedom is being strong enough to be content with any situation." - NFL Football -
The 27-year-old Williams decided he wanted to return to the NFL in February after an arbitrator ruled that he owed the Dolphins more than $8.6 million in incentives and signing bonus money. - NFL Football -
Known for his interesting and complex nature off the field and for his dreadlocks on it, Williams used to conduct interviews while wearing his helmet before he was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder in 2001. - NFL Football -
Williams said marijuana helped him once he stopped using the anti-depressant drug Paxil because it didn't agree with his diet.
On the field, Williams was a workhorse. After being acquired by Miami, Williams led the NFL in rushing with 1,853 yards in 2002 and followed with 1,372 yards in 2003.
A former Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Texas, Williams rushed for 6,354 yards in five seasons since being picked fifth overall by New Orleans in 1999.

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