The Reluctant Gladiator Returns
Ricky's back.
For one, this lifelong Dolphin fan is happy. I might be the only one. I can't think of one person -- let alone a Miami Dolphins fan -- who is pleased to see the pot-smoking, yoga-teaching, vegetarian, bushy-bearded, wedding-dress-wearing, freaking-tough-as-nails recluse running back once again wearing the aqua and orange.
(Then again, while there is no "I" in team, there is an "I" in "Eric").
I can sympathize.
(Yeah, that is long. But cut me some slack. I was so pissed at seeing Ricky get persecuted I started a goddamn weblog).
Why is he back?
Well, he does owe the Dolphins $8.6 million for "retiring" just before the 2004 season -- mainly because he was tired of the regimented life expected of a pro football player and the fact that he was going to get popped for the third time for smoking weed.
OK, that's why he's back. The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner doesn't have some deep, burning passion for the game.
But guess what: He never really did. Not in the same way as those who seek glory in the conventional sense.
It didn't mean he ever slacked off. Remember, the man is as tough as Black Sabbath rocks ass (and that's pretty hard). He's always played tough. And I suspect, after his four-game suspension to start the season for smoking pot, he will once again leave it all on the field.
Just as sure as Ricky shows up true to form, barefoot at the press conference ...
... where he apologized for those who were hurt by his decision last year not to play (translation: those who want to win over seeing a man be true to himself) ...
... the philistines pile on.
Why is this? It's like ridiculing fat people and suburban, white soccer dads who can't dance.
It's just too easy. They are the last exiles of the PC-protected.
It's OK to pile on an eccentric, pot-smoking football player. Even if it means not bothering to investigate the complexities of why human beings do what they do, beyond the demands of pot-bellied hero-worshippers who care only about athletes validating their pedestrian lives.
Amid his apologies, Ricky responds to the question of why he returned. The picking and choosing of the depths of his answer is intriguing.
First, the Associated Press:
"DAVIE, Fla. -- Back in the Miami Dolphins' backfield Monday, Ricky Williams made all the right moves.
First, he showed up. Then he reached the end zone on his first carry, smiled at cheering fans, apologized for leaving the team in the lurch, said he was done with dope and calmly submitted to a media interrogation regarding his surreal one-year retirement.
One question -- the first one -- momentarily stumped him, though: Why did he return?
'Why? Why? I don't know. I don't know,' he said.
Uh-oh. This roller-coaster ride still seems a little rickety."
"Rickety." Clever.
Here's the rest of what he said, from the Miami Herald:
"When asked why he decided to return to the NFL, Williams hesitated.
''Why? Why? I don't know,'' he said. ``I've been away doing my own thing, studying a lot of alternate theories about life. To go into that answer would be a waste of time because it can't be picked up in a sound byte or easily understood. So the best way I can think of to put it is that I'm back here to work.''"
Ricky understands the nature of his audience. He understands that, at the essence of it all, they really don't care about him.
He owes money. He's going to play now.
Fair enough?
13 comments:
I read your first post on Ricky a while ago and said then that I hoped the weight of expectation didn't break him - as you said he refused to be bound by the chains that binded him - but I guess in the end he has to pay what he owes once it is all in black and white on the page - and its as simple as that.
but yeah the sports writers aren't going to let him pay his dues to the dolphins and then get back to doing what he actually wants - because in the end they look at it as though he owes them as well (as wrong as that may be)
fucking rock on, spo!
you totally are with me on what i'm saying!
he owes them. what the fuck, right?
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goddamn ownership.
everything is about property. that's what it's about.
why don't they just stone the poor guy while they're at it. well, i suppose he wouldn't be able to play if they did that.
and i ain't signing coaches pledge sheet or getting my attitude adjusted priorities right.
media + sport + money = some guy's life made misery.
I admit it - I never heard of the guy. But now I have, and I have to say that I like his style. Or rather, his convictions. Having never seen his wedding dress, I can't comment on the hemline or use of sequins. But I dig the beard and dreadlocks.
Here proves the social masogeny of questioning the moral worth of an athletically-gifted man who dares to talk about his feelings and quests outside of gratifying armchair quarterbacks' wilting manhood.
So he's back. And not because he *wants* to play but because he *has* to play. Sounds like me and millions of other working stiffs. You GO, Ricky!
Keep that poster up. You have excellent moral priorities for your son.
ok, now for a more-reasoned (translation: "sober") response.
first off, kz, thanks for taking the time for a well-thought-out reply. for you, i uploaded a picture at the end of the post of ricky and new orleans saints coach mike ditka on the cover of sports illustrated back in 1999, i think.
the cover is comment on how ditka gave away too much to get ricky in the draft and now they're just kind of stuck with each other, "for better or worse."
you and dan hit on two themes i see: property and slavery. they go together. he's a millionaire, but yet a slave to more than just money (i already hashed that out ad nauseum, i guess).
personally, i hope he plays hard. i'll respect him more if he does. i think it's important to do the best you can if someone's paying you and you're accepting it.
i also hope he proves everybody wrong.
this really comes with the territory. you know, he enjoyed the fruits of being a millionaire. well, responsibility comes with that ... but it should only come in terms of working for your money and being able to leave the rest of the bullshit to the lock-step seagulls.
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Ricky danced with the devil in the pale moonlight but once the music stops he shouldn't have to keep on dancing!
That wedding picture gets a FUCK YEAH! award.
also Mike Dikta was in that Will Ferrel soccer kids movie - a real hard bastard.
there's this scottish guy, he plays guitar. sony signed him up with a big deal, but he didn't read the small print.
they had artistic control and wanted him to do this that and the other and weren't happy with what he'd done in the studio.
he wouldn't change anything so they wouldn't put any material out. he's bound to sony in a three album deal and has been for about ten or more years. he's never released an album yet.
I hope he blows it.
Then again, there is nothing better for the buffalo than a crippled miami.
I'll be watching panthers vs bills around thanksgiving, sort of a tradition now. Nothing gets the blood pumping more than a miami/buffalo match-up though.
Hopefully, if the expectations don't shut ricky down, the buffalo defense will.
As to the whole personal issue, I agree with you. Leave the guy alone for chrissake.
do you think rickys going to be able to lead the league in rushing again some day? (granted he will be playing 4 less games...)
we'll see, triman. i think he's only, like, 28, so he could do it. i doubt this year because of the suspension like you mentioned.
also, if you notice that picture at the press conference, ricky looks kind of skinny. he'll definitely have to gain weight.
a lot of it depends on his attitude. if he's just doing it for the money, he might not try. but if brings the same passion as before -- like "if i'm here i might as well go all out" -- there's no reason not.
i'll really respect him if he plays hard. if he doesn't, i'll still think he's cool, but my opinion would elevate if he tried hard. you might as well give what you're doing your best.
i heard he looked good in practice.
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will be interesting to see how hes rated in fantasy football pools. i dont think id risk it by taking him anyways. hes one toke from being suspended even longer.
As soon as I saw the picture I thought, "oh this is going to be one of those posts where I have no idea what he's talking about." And you know what? I was right.
well, jay, i appreciate you reading it anyway. i try to be versatile.
triman, i wouldn't bank on him for fantasy either. just too unpredictable. from what i understand, though, nick saban is far better getting his ... eccentric ... players to believe in him and motivate them.
dave "porn 'stache" wannstehdt never did that.
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