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  • November 14, 2007 12:05 PM ET

Should the NFL have reinstated Ricky WIlliams?

KPKahder (10-6-2) vs Spak- is straight e thuggin (98-41-9)
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ESPN is reporting that the NFL today notified the Dolphins that Ricky Williams is now reinstated and eligible to play. This comes after 4months in a IN PATIENT rehab center in Boston. Now, mind you, it also comes after he JUST tested positive in April of this year.
I think the NFL should have stayed with the suspension that they handed down in April. 4 months as an inhouse patient at a rehab means nothing. I want to see how he does in 4 months OUT of the facility when he HAS access to cocaine etc.
I do NOT think they should have reinstated him. AT least not yet.


I think he should be allowed to play....after he finishes his suspension. Look at players like Darryl Strawberry, how many times did he get caught cocaine and how many times was he in rehab? What about Vick, after he gets out of jail i guarantee he will be reinstated. Brett Favre was addicted to pain killers and had to go to rehab, look what happened afterwards.

If he still has the physical ability and he has dealt with his issues and he serves his suspension then there is no reason to not let him play. Alot of players have done alot worse and they are still around. It would be very hipocritical of the NFL not to reinstate him.


My mistake, I meant to type in pot but for some reason, I typed coke. My bad. No need to jump all over me for it, a simple line stating my mistatement would have sufficed. (and actually, I seem to remember something about one of his former teammates in college mentioning cocaine usage.. but that would be hearsay and I could be thinking of someone else with that one)
Irregardless of the DRUG. Weed, Coke, Crack,. Meth - whatever. They are ALL illegal. He tested positive on more than one occassion. This wasnt about him being tested once and suspended for 4 games. He was busted something like 4 times. He even went to CA to get a medical prescription because he said it helped him with his Social Anxiety Disorder (SHYNESS). He was on Paxil, he dropped it saying Pot did so much better for him than Paxil did. And besides the drug use, look at his professional career. He heads to Canada to play when hes busted by the NFL, the Dolphins lose millions and then have to try and get it back from him for breach of contract. The league has bad enough press with Pacman and Tank and a few others. Do they really need this? Tho, Williams if the fins take him back, could maybe get them their 1st win.


By saying that Ricky Williams should not be reinstated you are saying that there is a double standard for him. I stated several athletes that went to rehab with drug problems and they all got to come back. Why not Ricky? The NFL cant let one person come back from something and not let somebody else come back.

And what about Ray Lewis? Did he not have a part in murdering somebody. ( I know the court said he had no part in it but come on ) And he got to come back. Whats worse a pot head or murderer? Artest sparked a riot, he was allowed back in. Hell Kobe was on trial for rape and he was playing at the same time.

While i agree that these players get more chances than they deserve but you cant just not reinstate the guy when other players have had the same kind of problems. If the NFL wants to maintain credibility then they have to use the same rules on EVERYBODY. They cant just pick and choose who the examples should be.


You cant compare what the NFL does to what the MLB or NBA or NHL or other league sports. This is the NFL. Ray Lewis was not convicted of murder, attempted murder etc. The prosecution had NO proof that he was physically involved AT all. Again, my argument is not that he should NEVER play again, its that he should serve out his suspension. For petes sake, this is the same lunatic that decided after 5 years to RETIRE and buy a one way ticket somewhere saying that he was tired of playing football and it was too demanding on him. NOW all of a sudden, he wants to PLAY again???? Are you kidding me? Hes being paid millions to run a football and all they ask is that he lay off the pot. He throws it back in the NFLs face by going out to CA for a 'scrip!
My point is, he tested positive again in April, had his suspension increased, checked into a rehab, stays clean 4 months (because he cant have it there) and we're to believe hes coming out clean, sober, well adjusted and sane? Show me the proof Ricky. Stay clean outside rehab for the rest of the season. Get tested weekly.
Dont compare the Artest brawl or Strawberry's coke to this. Dont even compare Ray Lewis. Its not comparable.


Its very comparable because they are all legal matters the athletes were involved in. By saying he should not be reinstated you are saying that pot smoking is worse than something else.

If the NFL goes by their own set of rules and he is let back in then there is no argument for him not being able to play. They cannot go against policy for 1 individual. It would be a travesty of justice if they did.

Comments (50) Add A Comment

November 14, 2007  12:08 PM ET
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Cocaine? When has there EVER been an allegation of cocaine associated with Ricky Williams? And when has in-patient rehab ever meant NOTHING? You're just clueless today.

November 14, 2007  12:25 PM ET
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That's the problem with pro sports. TOO MANY CHANCES for these losers. These guys are role models, making a TON of $$ and the ones like Williams do what? I say NO.... no reinstatement. Of course, the NFL does it anyway.

November 14, 2007  12:32 PM ET
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reinstatment him. its just weed.

November 14, 2007  12:33 PM ET
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the coke comment should void anything else you say. Get your facts straight before you comment.

November 14, 2007  12:38 PM ET
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he is a bum...tell him to go back to Australia and live in the outback...

November 14, 2007  12:39 PM ET
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you realize that saying he should not be reinstated is very hypocritical

November 14, 2007  12:45 PM ET
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"its just weed." Guru

Its just a side-line video camera.

November 14, 2007  12:46 PM ET
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reinstatment him. its just weed.

The Guru* | 11/14/07
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I have to assume by that comment, you partake. Weed is illegal in case you havent heard. And its a banned substance.

and btw, I did take back the cocaine statement. FYI

November 14, 2007  12:47 PM ET
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Spak, why is saying he should not be reinstated hypocritical.
Its been a long morning and Im just not able to read between the lines until happy hour.

November 14, 2007  12:47 PM ET
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Im not all anti-weed, but it certainly deminishes Physical strength & quick decision making. Who wants a mello RB!?
I know, but he's clean now right? Once a tree-man, always a tree man.

November 14, 2007  12:49 PM ET
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He's proven that he has no self-control. Its about constitution & he never put the team 1st.

November 14, 2007  12:51 PM ET
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Gruden, Im not saying inpatient means nothing, for some, its the only hope they have to get clean.
Im saying that being an inpatient means that you have no access to the substances that landed you in rehab to begin with. Once you're out in the world, the chances of repeating the abuse or relapsing rises substantially.

November 14, 2007  12:53 PM ET
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The Jerk is a cheater and i can prove it

November 14, 2007  12:53 PM ET
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http://www.fannation.com/throwdowns/show/77164

November 14, 2007  12:55 PM ET
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Spak, why is saying he should not be reinstated hypocritical.
Its been a long morning and Im just not able to read between the lines until happy hour.

KpKahder | 11/14/07

because other players with drug problems that have been in rehab have been let back in the league

November 14, 2007  12:56 PM ET
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Policy is policy, if the policy says he is eligible then he is, and should be reinstated. At leaste there is no argument that is valid that can be made to say he shouldn't. If you want to argue the poilcy that is a different thing.

November 14, 2007  12:58 PM ET
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Is weed illegal? i did not know that and no i do not partake in it anymore :)
If they can let a habitual drug user in the HOF, Irvin, they can easily let WIlliams back in the NFL.

November 14, 2007  01:15 PM ET
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Spak - thanks for clearing that up for me, I thought you meant that I was being hypocritical :-)
Im alot of things, but a hypocrite aint one of them :-)

November 14, 2007  01:16 PM ET
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He was already let back in once. Athletes have been given way too many chances, and arguements that state that people like Strawberry were let back in just don't fly. I can't believe this is happening on Goodell's watch.

If he is let back in, it should only be to pay back the Dolphin's. Seriously, what team wants this guy?

 
November 14, 2007  01:16 PM ET
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Policy is policy, if the policy says he is eligible then he is, and should be reinstated. At leaste there is no argument that is valid that can be made to say he shouldn't. If you want to argue the poilcy that is a different thing.

AllStarz | 11/14/07

PacMan Jones was eligible, he was refused reinstatement.
Sirhan Sirhan is eligible for parole, doesnt mean hes getting out.
eligibility has nothing to do with it.

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