NFL
Ricky Williams files retirement papers
By The Source
Aug 3, 2004

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Ricky Williams filed his retirement papers with the National Football League on Monday.

Williams shocked the Miami Dolphins as well as the entire football world just over a week ago when he officially announced his retirement at the age of 27. The running back would have been entering his sixth season in the league and third with the Dolphins.

In two campaigns with Miami, Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also had two receiving TDs.

The former Heisman Trophy winner from Texas spent the first three years of his career with the New Orleans Saints, who selected him in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. Then-head coach Mike Ditka traded all of his picks in the draft in order to move up to the fifth spot.

Williams ran for 3,129 yards and 16 TDs with the Saints, who then traded him to the Dolphins prior to the 2002 campaign.

For his career, Williams rushed for a total of 6,354 yards and 41 touchdowns in 70 contests.

The papers were filed with the NFL Management Council on behalf of Williams by his lawyer, David Cornwell. They are not binding, meaning that Williams could go back to the NFL if he chooses.

However, Williams faces at least a four-game league suspension if he returns after it was reported in last Thursday's edition of the Miami Herald that he failed a third drug test for the use of marijuana.