There was an arbitration hearing last week, and unless I'm wrong, the arbitrator has yet to issue his decision. But, yes, unless that decision comes down and overturns things, his violation comes with a one-year suspension.
The guy really must like reefer. What a waste of talent though. IMO, he was one of the coolest looking RB's.
Did they say what the reason for his test failure was? Officially? Because in all fairness to Ricky, he could receive a failure for showing up late to pee. I wouldn't automatically assume he came up positive.
I read that he did test positive, but, strangely, it wasn't marijuana, it was some kind of amphetamine. His defense is that, yes, he's used drugs in the past, but never THIS type of drug. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/football/14305842.htm
Common over the counter cold, asthma, allergy remedies, and diet pills all can show as a false positive for amphetamines. However, even if he has a horrible cold and is dying to go to Walgreens he can't. He is a member of the Miami dolphins and in compliance with the NFL abuse program he should have gone through the team doctors, with everything logged just in case anything like this were to happen. I would imagine they're somewhat flexible with consideration to the Substance tested positive for and the history of the player - thus the Privacy Ricky should have been granted. The fact that this was leaked hurts Ricky's chances tremendously IMO, You've got a very high profile player who could be argued as the NFL's poster child during the recent Steroids drug testing fiasco proffessional sports has recently undergone. And the NFL doesn't want to set a precedent that every player coming down the same pike has the Ricky situation to argue that they should be cleared. That would be disastrous to the league's policy. The deeper I look into the situation the dimmer I think it looks for Ricky. I personally feel his chances of returning next year are slim, and that's unfortunate. I'd like to think he'd have an opportunity to sue the league in regards to his privacy being leaked, but the drug policy is protected by collective bargaining, and that would make it very difficult to sue. I'd imagine the courts would prefer not to interfere, generally speaking, with collective bargaining agreements, unless there is a clear and egregious violation of civil rights. And I don't think it's that clear.
Technically, that's not a defense. If he can't provide indisputable proof that this violation of the Substance abuse program was in fact a false positive he's screwed. In this perticular case, he's guilty until proven innocent. We should not forget that there are many, many supplements legal in the U.S and other countries that are banned by the NFL.
Isn't Ricky's latest thing all about New Age, natural, healing? You know, taking dandelion root for sniffles, followed by a pink crystal on your forehead for an hour? I'll bet you he beats this one. I don't know why, but I have a funny feeling.
He says it must have been that holistic medicine he is taking that caused the positive test. In all fairness he has always been frank and honest in regards to his drug use. So I believe him, as he has not lied about these things in the past. Whether or not you agree with his decisions or not, he has not lied about it.
He is probably smoking pot wishing he never came back to the nfl, The guy is joke ad a horrible teammate. is it 4:20 yet?
As Ricky Williams waits to hear whether the NFL will accept or deny his latest appeal of a failed drug test, the Dolphins also are waiting to make some tough decisions of their own. Having already traded away picks in the second, fifth and sixth rounds -- with a pick in the first round unlikely to be used on a running back -- the Dolphins probably would need to use a third-round pick to acquire a back at all worthy of competing with Sammy Morris. -- Palm Beach Post He is still waiting to find out.
