Williams shocks Miami, retires

The former Heisman Trophy winner calls it quits at age 27.

By Steven Wine ~ The Associated Press

MIAMI -- The first sign of a change in Ricky Williams came when he returned from vacation in Australia last winter with a shaved head, the distinctive dreadlocks gone.

Now he's gone, too. Williams has decided to retire at the peak of his career, stunning the Miami Dolphins and leaving an enormous void in their backfield less than a week before the start of training camp.

Williams, who rushed for 3,225 yards in two seasons with the Dolphins, phoned from Hawaii to inform coach Dave Wannstedt of his decision, then continued his travels by flying to Tokyo.

Williams has always been a breakaway threat. But retirement at age 27?

"I was completely surprised," Wannstedt said Sunday. "My main thought process was to try to get Ricky to come back here, sit down, talk about some things and see if we can get this thing back on track. He obviously chose to go another direction."

Williams, who notified Wannstedt on Friday, plans to file retirement papers today or Tuesday with the NFL. The Dolphins hold their first training camp workout Saturday.

His retirement after just five NFL seasons was first reported Sunday by The Miami Herald.

"You can't understand how free I feel," Williams told the Herald in a phone interview.

Long ambivalent about life in the spotlight, he said there's no chance he'll change his mind. But his agent, Leigh Steinberg, held out the possibility that the retirement could be temporary.

Williams might be back in South Florida by the end of the week, Steinberg said.

"Right now he seems at peace with his decision and intends to retire," Steinberg said. "Whether it ends up being short term or long term, we'll have to see."

Williams told the Herald marijuana tests he failed had a minor influence on his decision, but were only one of many factors. In May, three South Florida newspapers reported that Williams tested positive for marijuana and faced a fine of at least $650,000 for violating the league's substance-abuse policy for a second time since joining the Dolphins.

His attorney, Gary Ostrow, said there was no violation, and a ruling on Williams' appeal was pending. But Williams told the Herald he has gotten around drug tests in the past by taking a special liquid players all over the league consume to avoid detection.

"I don't know really what he was talking about," Wannstedt said. He declined further comment on the subject.

Wannstedt said the retirement was a shock in part because Williams stayed in great shape during the offseason, participated in every practice and attended a team meeting as recently as June 22. Most teammates apparently had no clue about his retirement plan.

"This is certainly unexpected," defensive end Jason Taylor said.

Even Steinberg was stunned. The agent said Williams first told him he was seriously considering retirement Wednesday.

"What a mind boggle," Steinberg said. "He said he simply didn't feel the passion and motivation that is a prerequisite for playing his position."

Money wasn't an issue, Steinberg said. Williams, who is single but has three young children, was to make at least $3.6 million this season, with incentives possibly pushing that as high as $6 million.

After winning the Heisman Trophy at Texas in 1998, Williams joined the New Orleans Saints when coach Mike Ditka used all of his draft picks to acquire the standout running back. Ditka said Sunday he hasn't spoken with Williams in about six months and was taken aback by the retirement news.

"I'd love to talk to him and try to talk him out of it," Ditka said from Chicago. "It seems kind of foolish to me, but I don't know what's on his mind. You're just destroying a great career. He's a talent. To let that all go to waste doesn't make a lot of sense."

Williams played three season for New Orleans but didn't blossom until he was dealt in 2002 for two first-round draft picks to the Dolphins.

At times, Miami's biggest trade since 1970 looked like a steal. Williams led the NFL in 2002 with 1,853 yards rushing and broke nine team records. Last season he ran for 1,372 yards despite little offensive support.

It's just like Williams to go against the grain: He was never the stereotypical football player, and his passions include shopping, photography and film.

In 2001 he was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, a condition contributing to his extreme shyness, and in New Orleans he often conducted interviews while wearing his helmet. He professed to be happy during his two seasons with Miami, but the trip to Australia may have whetted his appetite for more travel, and he said it changed his perspective on what's important.

He's not the first running back to retire at or near his peak. His friend Jim Brown quit at 30, Barry Sanders retired at 31 and Robert Smith quit at 28.

Nonetheless, his decision was deflating for South Florida sports fans, who had been buzzing about the Miami Heat's acquisition last week of Shaquille O'Neal.

For the Dolphins, Williams' departure is the latest setback in an abysmal offseason. It included an odd organizational reshuffling with the hiring of former quarterback Dan Marino, who resigned as vice president 22 days later.

Now, due to the timing of Williams' retirement, the Dolphins head into training camp with few options for filling the vacancy at running back. Eddie George, who might have been a possibility, signed Friday with the Dallas Cowboys. For the moment the job belongs to three-year backup Travis Minor, who has yet to start an NFL game.

Officials at Texas anticipate that Williams will return to Austin to earn his degree in education and pursue work with children. While contemplating retirement, he talked with Longhorns coach Mack Brown.

"When he asked me how I would feel about his decision, I told him I would like him even if he had never played football," Brown said. "Giving up something that you love to do is never an easy choice, and I respect Ricky for the thought that he has put into this. This is something he has considered for a long time."