Sport
Ricky Williams retiring from the NFL
After an outstanding college career at Texas, where he won the Heisman Trophy, Williams broke into the NFL in 1999 with the New Orleans Saints. Mike Ditka, then coach of the Saints, traded all the team’s draft and first- and third-round picks in 2000 to pick Williams fifth overall.
Williams spent only three years with New Orleans, but during over 11 years in the league he had five 1,000-yard rushing seasons and finished with 10,009 yards on the ground.
Williams led the NFL in 2002 with 1,853 yards rushing for the Miami Dolphins and received his lone Pro Bowl invitation that season. He backed that up with 1,372 yards in 2003, giving him what remains the two most productive rushing seasons in Dolphins history.
Although Williams’ last start was in 2009, he enjoyed coming off the bench for the Ravens.
“It’s been interesting,” he said in November. “It’s been an adjustment for me, but I love the organization and I love my teammates so I’m having a good time. I’m enjoying myself. Anytime you play a team sport, the success of the team really makes everything better. It’s nice.”
Baltimore went 12-4 this season and lost to New England in the AFC championship game.
During that November interview, Williams was asked whether playing as a backup could possibly extend his career.
“At this point, my focus is just to finish my career strong,” he said. “I’m not even thinking two or three years down the line. But one positive about not carrying the ball is my body does feel good.”
