View source for Ricky Williams

{{Short description|American football player (born 1977)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Ricky Williams
| image         = Ricky Williams February 2020.jpg
| alt           = 
| caption       = Williams in 2020
| number        = 34, 27
| position      = [[Running back]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1977|5|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place   = [[San Diego, California]], U.S.
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| height_ft     = 5
| height_in     = 10
| weight_lb     = 226
| high_school   = [[Patrick Henry High School (California)|Patrick Henry]] (San Diego)
| college       = [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] (1995–1998)
| draftyear     = 1999
| draftround    = 1
| draftpick     = 5
| pastteams     =
* [[New Orleans Saints]] ({{NFL Year|1999|2001}})
* [[Miami Dolphins]] ({{NFL Year|2002|2003}}, {{NFL Year|2005}})
* [[Toronto Argonauts]] ({{CFL Year|2006}})
* Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2007|2010}})
* [[Baltimore Ravens]] ({{NFL Year|2011}})
| highlights    =
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[2002 All-Pro Team|2002]])
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2003 Pro Bowl|2002]])
* [[List of National Football League annual rushing yards leaders|NFL rushing yards leader]] (2002)
* [[Heisman Trophy]] (1998)
* [[Maxwell Award]] (1998)
* [[Walter Camp Award]] (1998)
* [[Associated Press College Football Player of the Year|AP College Football Player of the Year]] (1998)
* [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''SN'' Player of the Year]] (1998)
* [[Chic Harley Award]] (1998)
* 2× [[Doak Walker Award]] (1997, 1998)
* 2× [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Jim Brown Trophy|Jim Brown Trophy]] (1997, 1998)
* 2× [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1997 College Football All-America Team|1997]], [[1998 College Football All-America Team|1998]])
* 2× [[List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders|NCAA rushing yards leader]] (1997, 1998)
* 2× [[List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders|NCAA rushing touchdowns leader]] (1997, 1998)
* 2× [[Big 12 Conference football individual awards#Offensive Player of the Year|Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year]] (1997, 1998)
* 3× First-team All-[[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]] ([[1996 All-Big 12 Conference football team|1996]]–[[1998 All-Big 12 Conference football team|1998]])
* Second-team All-[[Southwest Conference|SWC]] ([[1995 All-Southwest Conference football team|1995]])
* [[Cotton Bowl Classic|Cotton Bowl]] Hall of Fame
* [[Texas Longhorns football#Retired numbers|Texas Longhorns No. 34]] retired
| statleague    = NFL
| statlabel1    = [[Carry (American football)|Rushing attempts]]
| statvalue1    = 2,431
| statlabel2    = [[Rushing yards]]
| statvalue2    = 10,009
| statlabel3    = [[Touchdown|Rushing touchdowns]]
| statvalue3    = 66
| statlabel4    = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4    = 342
| statlabel5    = [[Receiving yards]]
| statvalue5    = 2,606
| statlabel6    = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statvalue6    = 8
| cflstatlabel1 = [[Carry (American football)|Rushing attempts]]
| cflstatvalue1 = 109
| cflstatlabel2 = [[Rushing yards]]
| cflstatvalue2 = 526
| cflstatlabel3 = [[Touchdown|Rushing touchdowns]]
| cflstatvalue3 = 2
| cflstatlabel4 = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
| cflstatvalue4 = 19
| cflstatlabel5 = [[Receiving yards]]
| cflstatvalue5 = 127
| pfr           = W/WillRi00
| cfl-archive   = https://web.archive.org/web/20150421021653/http://cfl.ca/roster/show/id/1655
| CollegeHOF    = 2388 
}}

'''Errick Miron'''{{efn|In May 2022, Williams legally changed his last name to Miron, his wife's last name, after they married.<ref name="le batard"/>}} (born '''Errick Lynne Williams Jr.'''; May 21, 1977), known professionally as '''Ricky Williams''', is an American former professional [[American football|football]] [[running back]] who played for 11 seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and one season in the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL).

After playing [[baseball]] and [[High school football|football]] at [[Patrick Henry High School (California)|Patrick Henry High School]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-11 |title=Ex-NFL star Ricky Williams talks the importance of cannabis |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/sports/ex-nfl-player-san-diego-native-on-importance-of-cannabis/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Jackie |date=2022-08-30 |title=Ricky Williams' View From on High |url=https://sandiegomagazine.com/features/ricky-williams-view-from-on-high/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=San Diego Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> he played [[college football]] for the [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas Longhorns]], where he was a two-time [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|unanimous All-American]] and won the 1998 [[Heisman Trophy]]. He broke the [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|NCAA Division I-A]] records for career rushing yards and all-purpose yards during his senior season. He played [[minor league baseball]] in the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] farm system for four seasons during college. He was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2015.

He was selected by the [[New Orleans Saints]] fifth overall in the [[1999 NFL draft]] after [[Ricky Williams trade|a blockbuster trade]] and spent three seasons with the team before he was traded to the [[Miami Dolphins]] in 2002. He played for the Dolphins for two seasons, leading the league in rushing in 2002, and retired for the first time from football in 2004. Due to a suspension from the NFL, he played for the [[Toronto Argonauts]] in 2006. He re-joined the Dolphins in 2007 and played with them until 2010, and spent the 2011 season with the [[Baltimore Ravens]]. He earned first-team [[All-Pro]] honors and a [[Pro Bowl]] selection with the Dolphins in 2002.

==Early life==
Williams was born (with his twin sister Cassie) to Sandy and Errick Williams.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=2}} Growing up middle class, his parents were divorced by 1983{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=2}} and Williams, at the age of three, began taking care of his younger sister Nisey by putting her to bed.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=3}} His father later had three children through another marriage.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=6}} Williams is the second cousin of [[Major League Baseball]] player [[Cecil Fielder]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=94}} Williams was sent by his mother to counseling for anger problems as a youth.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=4}} He took a test as a six-year-old that revealed he had the intelligence of someone twice his age, and earned honor roll recognition in high school.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=4}} Williams once said, "I was always very bright, but not necessarily a hard worker. I think I was in eighth grade when I became really focused as a student and started getting good grades."{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=4}} He was named to the ''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune|San Diego Union-Tribune]]'' All-Academic team.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=4}} He had a brown belt in [[Taekwondo]] by age 12,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=12}} and he started growing [[dreadlocks]] when he was 15.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=5}}

At San Diego's [[Patrick Henry High School (San Diego, California)|Patrick Henry High School]], Williams primarily played [[baseball]] and [[high school football|football]], in addition to running [[Track and field|track]] and [[scholastic wrestling|wrestling]]. He notably lost a wrestling match to future NCAA wrestling champion and three-time [[Super Bowl]] champion [[Stephen Neal]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2005 |title=Interview with Stephen Neal |url=http://magazine.stack.com/TheIssue/Article/2042/Interview_with_Stephen_Neal.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623021252/http://magazine.stack.com/TheIssue/Article/2042/Interview_with_Stephen_Neal.aspx |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=August 19, 2011 |publisher=Stack: For the Athlete By the Athlete}}</ref> During his junior year, he was named all-league in baseball as an outfielder and third baseman, and as a senior, he was named all-state.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=93}}

Entering high school at {{convert|5|ft|9|in}} and {{convert|155|lb}}, Williams added an additional {{convert|25|lb}} of weight before his junior season.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|pp=12–13}} He played [[outside linebacker]] and [[strong safety]] in addition to his primary position of [[running back]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=14}} During his high school career, he rushed for a total of 4,129 yards and 55 touchdowns, and in his senior season he had 2,099 yards and 25 touchdowns, totals which earned him the ''San Diego Union-Tribune{{'}}s'' 1994 Player of the Year award.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=13}} Among his senior year performances were a 200-yard effort in a loss, a 248-yard (on 24 carries) and three-touchdown game, a 215-yard (21 carries) and two-touchdown showing, and a 143-yard (18 carries) and two-touchdown game.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=15}} Against a top-ranked school, he had 129 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown, and Williams totaled 47 of the 69 yards Patrick Henry accumulated during the game-winning drive.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=16}} Williams helped Patrick Henry to its first Eastern League title in 11 years with a win against [[San Diego High School]]; Williams had 115 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter of the game but suffered an [[Achilles tendon rupture]] early in the second quarter.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=16–17}} Following two weeks of rest, Williams suited up for the first round of the CIF-San Diego Section Division 1 playoffs and, playing through pain from the injury, posted 94 yards on 25 carries in a 15–14 win.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=17}} In the second round, Williams ran for 110 yards in a 21–17 victory, propelling Patrick Henry into the championship game.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=17}} However, in the title game Patrick Henry lost 13–0 and Williams was held to a season-low 46 yards, with his team amassing just 62 yards of total offense.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|pp=17–18}}

The Scouting Evaluation Association rated Williams as the best high school running back in the state of California as a senior, while ''[[Super Prep]]'' labeled him as the second-best running back in California behind [[Sirr Parker]] and 14th-best in the country overall.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=18}}

==College career==
===1995–1997===
Williams attended the [[University of Texas]], where he played for the [[Texas Longhorns football]] team from 1995 to 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ricky-williams-4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326154127/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ricky-williams-4.html |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> The [[Philadelphia Phillies]], as part of his minor league baseball contract, paid for his scholarship to college.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=94}}

Entering his freshman season, Williams was slated to begin as the starting [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] on the team.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=26}} With [[Priest Holmes]] out for the 1995 season with an injury,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=26}} Williams and Shon Mitchell started the season opener on the field together.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=27}} Williams set a school record for rushing yards by a true freshman in the first game of the season against [[Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football|Hawaii]] with 95&nbsp;yards.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=27}} During the regular season, he rushed for a total of 990&nbsp;yards on 166 attempts and eight touchdowns, breaking [[Earl Campbell]]'s school record for rushing yards by a freshman.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=42}} He had 62&nbsp;yards in the [[1995 Sugar Bowl (December)|1995 Sugar Bowl]] against [[Virginia Tech Hokies football|Virginia Tech]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=42}} He was named [[Southwest Conference]] Freshman of the Year after the season.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=95}}

Before his sophomore year in 1996, ''[[The Sporting News]]'' ranked Williams, who was sometimes known as the "Texas Tornado,"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richard, Dave |date=December 9, 2002 |title=Q & A: Williams makes it look easy |publisher=Miami Dolphins |url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/MIA/6002429 |access-date=January 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114222359/http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/MIA/6002429 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 14, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Difalco |first=Salvatore |date=October 14, 2009 |title=Ricky Williams: Texas Tornado |url=http://www.toromagazine.com/sports/egos-and-icons/394bc2b5-e531-3424-b13e-2804c8f70a94/Ricky-Williams-Texas-Tornado/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319052429/http://www.toromagazine.com/sports/egos-and-icons/394bc2b5-e531-3424-b13e-2804c8f70a94/Ricky-Williams-Texas-Tornado |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |access-date=October 16, 2012 |website=Toro Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams |url=http://www.lostlettermen.com/ricky_williams-texas-football-big_12-p220407/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904175855/http://www.lostlettermen.com/ricky_williams-texas-football-big_12-p220407/ |archive-date=September 4, 2013 |access-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref>{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=117}} as the best fullback in college football.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=43}} He led Texas in rushing with 1,272&nbsp;yards and had over 100&nbsp;yards rushing in seven games during the season.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=44}} Against [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]] in the [[1997 Fiesta Bowl (January)|1997 Fiesta Bowl]], he rushed for 48&nbsp;yards and tied a bowl record for catches in a game with nine receptions.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=62}}

Williams moved to running back for his junior year in 1997, and ''[[Bob Griese]]'s Football Magazine'' considered him as the second-best candidate for the [[Heisman Trophy]] going into the season.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=65}} He scored five touchdowns in a game against [[Rice Owls football|Rice]], setting school and [[Big 12 Conference]] records.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=75}} During a game against [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]], he broke the school record for career touchdowns with 43.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=85}} Williams finished the season with 1,893 rushing yards on 279 attempts and 25 rushing touchdowns,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=88}} leading the nation in rushing yards and co-leading in rushing touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 College Football Leaders |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1997-leaders.html |access-date=November 21, 2025 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He set single-season school records for rushing yards, carries, and rushing touchdowns in a season, as well as all-purpose yards with 2,043.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=88}} He had the highest rushing yards per game in [[Division I-A]] with 172.0,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=88}} and he earned fifth place for Heisman balloting with 135 points.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=89}} He won the [[Doak Walker Award]] in December 1997,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|pp=178, 180}} and was a [[unanimous All-American]] selection.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=205}}

===1998===
Williams returned to Texas for his senior season, opting to forgo the [[1998 NFL draft]], in which he was projected to be drafted between the fourth and seventh picks.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=110}} Texas provided him with a $2.8 million insurance policy for returning, in the event that he became injured and was picked lower in the draft as a result.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=111}} In the first game of the season, against [[New Mexico State Aggies football|New Mexico State]], he broke his own school record for rushing touchdowns in a game with six.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=121–122}} In the next game against [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]], he broke Earl Campbell's career school rushing record with 4,530&nbsp;total yards.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=125}} He scored six touchdowns again in a game against [[Rice Owls football|Rice]], in addition to gaining 318&nbsp;yards.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=131}} He also became Texas's all-time leading scorer during the game, with 344 career points,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=132}} and set a school record for all-purpose yards in a game with 350.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=134}} Against [[1998 Iowa State Cyclones football team|Iowa State]], he rushed for 350&nbsp;yards and five touchdowns, breaking the single-game school record for rushing yards.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=135}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Chris |date=September 28, 2018 |title=This Week in Heisman History: Ricky honors Doak, rushes for 350 |url=https://www.heisman.com/articles/this-week-in-heisman-history-ricky-honors-doak-rushes-for-350/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324174319/https://www.heisman.com/articles/this-week-in-heisman-history-ricky-honors-doak-rushes-for-350/ |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=Heisman.com}}</ref> In the game, Williams broke the record for career total touchdowns with 67.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=138}} He helped beat longtime rival [[1998 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]] by rushing for 166&nbsp;yards and two scores.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cherry |first=Brice |date=February 15, 2013 |title=Hall of Fame Profile: Multitalented Ricky Williams more than Lone Star |url=https://www.wacotrib.com/sports/hall-of-fame-profile-multitalented-ricky-williams-more-than-lone/article_b935ad4d-7407-58c6-a38f-e357b960d05d.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324174350/https://www.wacotrib.com/sports/hall-of-fame-profile-multitalented-ricky-williams-more-than-lone/article_b935ad4d-7407-58c6-a38f-e357b960d05d.html |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=WacoTrib.com}}</ref> In a game against [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]], in which he rushed for 259&nbsp;yards,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=136}} Williams broke the NCAA Division I-A record for career points scored with 428.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=149}}

Williams broke the NCAA Division I-A career rushing record held by [[Tony Dorsett]] on November 27, 1998, in a game against [[1998 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M]], on a 60-yard touchdown run.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Chris |title=Thanksgiving memories, Heisman style |url=https://www.heisman.com/articles/thanksgiving-memories-heisman-style/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324182845/https://www.heisman.com/articles/thanksgiving-memories-heisman-style/ |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=Heisman}}</ref>{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=167}} The game was briefly paused while Williams received the game ball and was honored by a group of dignitaries, including Dorsett.<ref name="Heisman" /> He finished the game racking up 259&nbsp;yards on a career-high 44 carries,<ref name="Heisman">{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams |url=https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/ricky-williams/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324155248/https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/ricky-williams/ |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=Heisman.com}}</ref> and also broke the Division I-A career all-purpose yards record with 7,206&nbsp;yards.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=173}} The record-breaking touchdown was later named the [[Compaq]] College Football Play of the Year,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=168}} and the football used during the play was sent to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=171}} Williams led Division I-A in rushing for the 1998 season with 2,124 yards and 27 touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 College Football Leaders |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1998-leaders.html |access-date=November 21, 2025 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=175}} Williams won his second straight Doak Walker Award,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=188}} the [[Walter Camp Award]],{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=204}} the [[Maxwell Award]],{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=203}} the [[Associated Press College Football Player of the Year]],{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=205}} the [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''Sporting News'' College Football Player of the Year]],{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=205}} the [[Best College Football Player ESPY Award]],{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=213}} and the [[Big 12 Conference]] [[Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year|Offensive Player of the Year]] awards after the 1998 season.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|pp=198–199}} He was a unanimous All-America selection for the second straight season.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=205}} He received the 64th [[Heisman Trophy]], becoming the second Texas Longhorn to win this honor, joining Earl Campbell.<ref name="Heisman" /> Williams received 2,355 points in the Heisman ballot.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=199}} In the [[1999 Cotton Bowl Classic]], he set a bowl record with 248 all-purpose yards and was named [[Cotton Bowl Classic#Most Outstanding Player awards|MVP]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=222}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Texas Football is Known for Star Players Like Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams |url=https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/texas-football-star-players-earl-campbell-ricky-williams |access-date=November 21, 2025 |website=Alabama Crimson Tide On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> After the season, he played in the [[Hula Bowl]] all-star game.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=212}}

Williams broke or tied 21 NCAA Division I-A records, 24 Big 12 Conference records, and 46 Texas Longhorns school records in his career.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=227}} The [[University of Wisconsin]]'s [[Ron Dayne]] broke Williams' record for career rushing yards one year later in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carney |first=Brian |date=November 14, 1999 |title=Dayne Runs Away With Record |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/11/14/dayne-runs-away-with-record/30479b5e-e86b-4d71-91fd-46d0cd0ff754/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324174211/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/11/14/dayne-runs-away-with-record/30479b5e-e86b-4d71-91fd-46d0cd0ff754/ |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Texas retired his No. 34 jersey in May 1999.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=228}} Along with Earl Campbell, Williams has a statue on the grounds of [[Darrell K. Royal &ndash; Texas Memorial Stadium]], on the University of Texas campus in [[Austin, Texas]], to commemorate their Heisman Trophy wins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strickland |first=Carter |date=April 1, 2012 |title=Texas unveils Ricky Williams statue at stadium |url=http://www.espn.com/colleges/texas/football/story/_/id/7762335 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418181957/https://www.espn.com/colleges/texas/football/story/_/id/7762335 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Williams was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2015<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams (2015) - Hall of Fame |url=https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/ricky-williams/2388 |access-date=November 21, 2025 |website=National Football Foundation |language=en}}</ref> and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams - 2018 - Hall of Fame |url=https://www.cottonbowl.com/sports/hof/roster/ricky-williams/184 |access-date=November 21, 2025 |website=Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic |language=en}}</ref>

=== College statistics ===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the NCAA
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="3" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Texas Longhorns|color=white}}"| Ricky Williams
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="3"| Receiving
|-
! Season !! Team !! GP !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! TD
|-
! [[1995 NCAA Division I-A football season|1995]] || [[1995 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]]
| 13 || 178 || 1,052 || 5.9 || 65 || 8 || 16 || 224 || 1
|-
! [[1996 NCAA Division I-A football season|1996]] || [[1996 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]]
| 13 || 216 || 1,320 || 6.1 || 75 || 13 || '''33''' || '''307''' || '''2'''
|-
! [[1997 NCAA Division I-A football season|1997]] || [[1997 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]]
| 11 || 279 || style="background:#cfecec;"|1,893 || '''6.8''' || '''87''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|25 || 20 || 150 || 0
|-
! [[1998 NCAA Division I-A football season|1998]] || [[1998 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]]
| 12 || '''391''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''2,327'''   || 6.0 || 68 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''29''' || 29 || '''307''' || 1
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ricky-williams-4.html Career] || 49 || 1,064 || 6,592 || 6.2 || 87 || 75 || 98 || 988 || 4
|}
* Note that the table includes Williams' performances in bowl games, which, prior to 2002, were not included in official NCAA career statistics.

==Minor league baseball==
Williams was drafted in the eighth round of the 1995 [[Major League Baseball]] June amateur draft out of high school by the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=94}} He signed a contract with the team with a $50,000 [[signing bonus]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=94}} During his collegiate career, he played four seasons in the Phillies' farm system, never playing beyond [[Minor League Baseball|Single–A]]. An outfielder, Williams played in 170 games and finished his career with a .211 batting average, four home runs, and 46 stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams Minor Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=willia001err |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325075607/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=willia001err |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

Williams played for the [[Martinsville Phillies]], a [[rookie league]] team in the [[Appalachian League]] affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies, for 36 games in 1995.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=94}} He had a [[batting average]] of .239 with 11 [[Run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBI) with the team.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=94}} In 1996 and 1997, he played with the [[Piedmont Boll Weevils]], the Phillies' [[Class A (baseball)|Single–A]] affiliate in the [[South Atlantic League]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=95–96}} He hit .188 with 30 runs scored and 20 RBI in 84 games with the team in 1996, and he hit .206 with 12 runs scored and six RBI in 1997.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=96}} During his third year, he was teammates with Phillies' eventual starting shortstop [[Jimmy Rollins]], who declared Williams the fastest man he had ever seen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MIller |first=Randy |date=January 10, 2015 |title=Which Phillies farmhand/Jimmy Rollins teammate is now college football Hall of Famer? |url=https://www.nj.com/phillies/2015/01/which_phillies_farmhandjimmy_rollins_teammate_is_now_college_football_hall_of_famer.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010031657/https://www.nj.com/phillies/2015/01/which_phillies_farmhandjimmy_rollins_teammate_is_now_college_football_hall_of_famer.html |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=NJ.com |language=en}}</ref> Williams played for the [[Batavia Muckdogs]], the Phillies' [[Class A Short Season|Low–A]] affiliate of the [[New York–Penn League]], in 1998.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=97}} He played in 12 games for Batavia, hitting .288, before cutting his season short to return to Texas for his senior year of football.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=97}}

Williams was selected in the 1998 [[Rule 5 draft]] by the [[Montreal Expos]] on December 14, 1998, who then traded his rights to the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Durett |first=Richard |date=December 12, 2013 |title=Rangers take Seahawks QB Wilson in draft |url=http://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/10124529 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324173959/http://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/10124529 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The Rangers were owned by [[Tom Hicks]], who was a Texas Longhorns booster.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=98}} Williams was placed on the Rangers' [[40-man roster|40-man major league roster]], but he wrote a letter in March 1999 to the team stating he would not report for spring training so he could prepare for the [[NFL draft]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=99}} The Rangers subsequently placed him on their restricted list,{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=99}} and he never played for the team.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berg, Ted |date=July 19, 2013 |title=Remembering Ricky Williams' short-lived baseball career |work=USAToday.com |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/07/remembering-ricky-williams-short-lived-baseball-career |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220035036/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/07/remembering-ricky-williams-short-lived-baseball-career |archive-date=December 20, 2021}}</ref>

==Professional career==
===New Orleans Saints===
{{NFL predraft
| height ft    = 5
| height in    = 10 3/4
| weight       = 244
| dash         = 4.56
| ten split    = 1.61
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle      = 
| cone drill   = 
| vertical     = 37
| broad ft     = 10
| broad in     = 4
| bench        = 22
| wonderlic    = 
| arm span     = 29 1/2
| hand span    = 7 3/4
| note         = All values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams, Texas, RB, 1999 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=61154&DraftYear=1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223003831/https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=61154&DraftYear=1999 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=October 9, 2022 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams, Combine Results, RB - Texas |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=5165 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223003841/https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=5165 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2021 |website=nflcombineresults.com}}</ref>
}}

Williams attended the [[NFL Scouting Combine]] 20 pounds overweight and declined to participate in workouts.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=261}} He held a private workout for NFL teams at the [[University of California, San Diego]], in April 1999.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=263}} He weighed in at 224 pounds at the workout, lower than the 244 pounds he weighed at the Combine.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=264}} The [[Cleveland Browns]] held the first pick in the [[1999 NFL draft]], and after Williams's workout, their coach [[Chris Palmer (American football)|Chris Palmer]] said Williams was a finalist for the pick along with [[quarterback]]s [[Tim Couch]] and [[Akili Smith]].{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=264}} The team selected Couch, and the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], with the second pick in the draft, despite fans wanting the team to select Williams, picked [[Donovan McNabb]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Leonard |date=April 18, 1999 |title=Expansion Browns Choose Couch With No. 1 Selection |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/04/18/expansion-browns-choose-couch-with-no-1-selection/29b957b0-f241-407c-88a5-7d5c80f78201/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tornoe |first=Rob |date=April 27, 2017 |title=WIP's Angelo Cataldi: Donovan McNabb haunted by the 'Dirty 30' and our draft day boos |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/eagles/nfl_draft/NFL-Draft-boo-Donovan-McNabb-Dirty-30-Angelo-Cataldi.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Inquirer.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stellino |first=Vito |date=April 18, 1999 |title=McNabb doesn't fly with fans of Eagles; QB booed as No. 2 pick; Dawggone good reception in Cleveland for Couch; Notebook |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-04-18-9904180045-story.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref>

Williams was selected as the fifth pick overall in the [[1999 NFL draft]] by the [[New Orleans Saints]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/draft.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103003244/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/draft.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> [[Head coach]] [[Mike Ditka]] [[Ricky Williams trade|traded all of the Saints' remaining 1999 draft picks]] (the second round pick had already been traded to the Rams to get [[Eddie Kennison]]) to the [[Washington Redskins]] to get Williams, as well as first- and third-round picks the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Draft Diaries 1999: Let's Make A Deal |url=http://live4sportnetwork.com/frontend/draft-diaries-1999-lets-make-a-deal/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064555/http://live4sportnetwork.com/frontend/draft-diaries-1999-lets-make-a-deal/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |website=live4sportnetwork.com}}</ref> This was the first time one player was the only draft pick of an NFL team.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=279}}

Williams and Ditka posed for the cover of ''[[ESPN The Magazine]]'' as a bride and a groom with the heading "For Better or for Worse." Rapper [[Master P]]'s organization No Limit Sports negotiated his seven-year, $11.1 million contract, which was largely incentive-laden; he received an $8.84 million signing bonus with salary incentives potentially worth up to $68.4 million should he hit all of his incentives, with most of them requiring higher than top-level production to attain.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite web |date=May 15, 1999 |title=Williams Agrees To Large Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/15/sports/plus-pro-football-new-orleans-williams-agrees-to-large-deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215014255/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/15/sports/plus-pro-football-new-orleans-williams-agrees-to-large-deal.html |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |website=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>{{sfn|Richardson|1999|p=280}} The contract was criticized by legions of people, both sports agents and writers, who realized that Williams's position entitled him to much more in guaranteed money.<ref name="SI">{{Cite magazine |last=Kirwan |first=Pat |date=May 19, 1999 |title=Rookie mistake: Williams contract loaded with difficult to reach incentives |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/pat_kirwan/news/1999/05/19/kirwan_insider/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000915190206/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/pat_kirwan/news/1999/05/19/kirwan_insider/ |archive-date=September 15, 2000 |access-date=December 19, 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> In the 2020 [[BET]] docuseries ''No Limit Chronicles'', Williams emphasized that he personally pushed for the terms of the contract, stating that the signing bonus was his "reward for what [he] did in college, but everything else [he does he] should have [had] to earn."<ref name="No Limit Chronicles">{{Cite episode |title=The Reckoning |url=https://www.bet.com/episodes/1t8mai/ruff-ryders-chronicles-the-reckoning-season-1-ep-4 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |series=No Limit Chronicles |network=BET |date=August 5, 2020 |number=4 |minutes=28 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921193633/https://www.bet.com/video/no-limit-chronicles/season-1/full-episodes/episode-104-the-reckoning.html |url-status=live}}</ref> After spraining his ankle in the preseason and battling injuries throughout his rookie year, he made only one incentive and earned only $125,000, the league minimum, prompting further criticism of No Limit Sports and his agent Leland Hardy.<ref name="No Limit Chronicles" /> Williams said, "I think maybe Master P underestimated how white professional sports were."<ref name="No Limit Chronicles" /> Williams later fired No Limit Sports and made [[Leigh Steinberg]] his agent. Ditka was later fired for the team's poor performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hepp |first=Rick |date=January 5, 2000 |title=Ditka fired by Saints |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-01-05-0001130052-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324174635/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-01-05-0001130052-story.html |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

Williams spent three seasons (1999–2001) with the Saints. He made his NFL debut with ten carries for 40 yards in a 19–10 victory over the [[1999 Carolina Panthers|Carolina Panthers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - September 12th, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199909120nor.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325074426/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199909120nor.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> As a rookie, he had 884 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in 12 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 1999 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/1999/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325074424/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/1999/ |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In 2000, he rushed for 1,000 yards and scored nine total touchdowns in 10 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2000/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327083844/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2000/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> He missed the team's last six regular-season games and first playoff game due to an injury suffered in a game against the [[2000 Carolina Panthers|Panthers]].  The Saints finished the 2000 regular season with a 10–6 record and won the franchise's first-ever playoff game against the [[2000 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]]. The next season was a successful one for Williams. One notable performance for Williams was in Week 4 in a 28–15 victory over the [[2001 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], where he rushed for 136 rushing yards and a touchdown to earn NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 NFL Week 4 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/week_4.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115170536/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/week_4.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - October 7th, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200110070nor.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326222435/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200110070nor.htm |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> His 411 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 22 receptions, and 157 receiving yards in the month of October earned him NFC Offensive Player of the month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321050703/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/index.htm |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> Overall, Williams rushed for 1,245 yards, finishing eighth in the NFL. He caught 60 passes for 511 yards in his last season with the Saints.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2001 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327083846/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2001/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

===Miami Dolphins===
====First stint====
[[File:Ricky Williams2.jpg|thumb|left|Williams during his first stint with the Dolphins.]]
Williams was traded to the Miami Dolphins on March 8, 2002, for four draft picks, including two first-round picks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cariello |first=Dave |date=March 8, 2014 |title=This Date in Saints History: Ricky Williams Traded |url=https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2014/3/8/5480180/saints-history-ricky-williams-trade-dolphins |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324175053/https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2014/3/8/5480180/saints-history-ricky-williams-trade-dolphins |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=Canal Street Chronicles}}</ref> In 2002, his first season with the Dolphins, he had a stellar season with ten games with at least 100 rushing yards. In Week 12, against the [[2002 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]], he had 143 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Week 12 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/week_12.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327083858/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/week_12.htm |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins - November 24th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200211240mia.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010031705/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200211240mia.htm |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> He followed that up with 228 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against the [[2002 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - December 1st, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200212010buf.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325221751/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200212010buf.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In the following game, against the [[2002 Chicago Bears|Chicago Bears]], he had 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to earn another AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Week 14 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/week_14.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327083900/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/week_14.htm |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins - December 9th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200212090mia.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325074431/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200212090mia.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> Overall, he was the NFL's leading rusher with 1,853 yards, a first-team [[2002 All-Pro Team|All-Pro]] and a [[Pro Bowl]]er.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/rushing.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326222429/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/rushing.htm |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326222425/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2002/ |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/probowl.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213063917/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/probowl.htm |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/allpro.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326222427/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/allpro.htm |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

In the 2003 season, Williams had 1,372 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 50 receptions, 351 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2003/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327011130/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2003/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

Williams was noted for his [[dreadlocks]] hair style, but he shaved them off during a trip to Australia. His shyness made Williams appear somewhat of an oddball. "Ricky's just a different guy", former Saints [[Wide receiver|receiver]] [[Joe Horn]] explained. "People he wanted to deal with, he did. And people he wanted to have nothing to do with, he didn't. No one could understand that. I don't think guys in the locker room could grasp that he wanted to be to himself – you know, quiet. If you didn't understand him and didn't know what he was about, it always kept people in suspense." Besides keeping to himself, Williams was known for conducting post-game interviews with his helmet on (complete with tinted visor) and avoiding eye contact. Williams was later diagnosed with [[social anxiety disorder]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams: A Story of Social Anxiety Disorder |url=https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/personal-stories/ricky-williams-story-social-anxiety-disorder |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324175300/https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/personal-stories/ricky-williams-story-social-anxiety-disorder |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=adaa.org}}</ref>

====Early retirement from football====
[[File:AntiWilliams.JPG|thumb|Miami Dolphins fans block out his name on their jerseys after hearing about Williams' drug-related suspension and subsequent retirement from the NFL in [[2004 Miami Dolphins season|2004]].]]
It was announced on May 14, 2004, that Williams tested positive for [[marijuana]] in December 2003 and faced a $650,000 fine and a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. He previously tested positive for marijuana shortly after he joined the Dolphins. Shortly before training camp was to begin in July 2004, Williams publicly disclosed his intent to retire from professional football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=John |date=July 25, 2004 |title=Ricky Williams to retire after 5 seasons |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1846012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121121412/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1846012 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Rumored to have failed a third drug test before announcing his retirement, Williams made his retirement official on August 2, 2004. Williams was ineligible to play for the [[2004 NFL season|2004 season]], and studied [[Ayurveda]], the ancient Indian system of holistic medicine, at the California College of Ayurveda that autumn in [[Grass Valley, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=FitzGerald |first=Tom |date=November 21, 2004 |title=NFL dropout Ricky Williams chilling in Sierra / He's been found studying the healing arts |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NFL-dropout-Ricky-Williams-chilling-in-Sierra-2633730.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324175509/https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NFL-dropout-Ricky-Williams-chilling-in-Sierra-2633730.php |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=SFGate}}</ref> The Dolphins finished the 2004 season with a 4–12 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2004.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111113352/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2004.htm |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

Williams maintains that he does not regret the retirement decision. He thinks that it was the "most positive thing" he has ever done in his life, allowing him time to find himself.<ref name="LefkoInterview1">{{Cite news |date=May 29, 2006 |title=Lost and found: Ricky Williams interviewed |url=http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Lefko/2006/05/29/1603669-sun.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115065307/http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Lefko/2006/05/29/1603669-sun.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=June 1, 2006 |newspaper=Toronto Sun}}</ref>

====Return to football====
[[File:Ricky Williams.jpg|thumb|right|Williams at the 2005 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.]]
Williams officially returned to the Dolphins on July 24, 2005, paid back a percentage of his signing bonus and completed his four-game suspension for a failed drug test.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crouse |first=Karen |date=July 25, 2005 |title=Quietly, Ricky Williams Returns to the Dolphins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/25/sports/football/quietly-ricky-williams-returns-to-the-dolphins.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324175718/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/25/sports/football/quietly-ricky-williams-returns-to-the-dolphins.html |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> At his return press conference, Williams expressed his apologies for leaving the team two days before the start of training camp, which had contributed to the Dolphins' having their worst season in years. Williams finished with six touchdowns and a 4.4 yards per carry average on 168 carries and 743 yards during 2005. While he shared time with [[Ronnie Brown]], he did run for 172 yards in Week 16 against the [[2005 Tennessee Titans|Tennessee Titans]], and 108 yards in Week 17 against the [[2005 New England Patriots|New England Patriots]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins - December 24th, 2005 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200512240mia.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326222433/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200512240mia.htm |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - January 1st, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601010nwe.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325221747/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601010nwe.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2005/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325221746/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2005/ |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2005.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023085830/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2005.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

On February 20, 2006, the National Football League announced that Williams had violated the NFL drug policy for the fourth time. His mother reportedly said she did not think it was another marijuana violation, and that he may have been in India when he was supposed to be tested. On April 25, 2006, Williams was suspended for the entire 2006 season. It has been suggested that the substance may have been an herb related to his interest in holistic medicine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 25, 2006 |title=NFL suspends Ricky Williams for 2006 |work=The Sporting News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20060425/732980-p.html |access-date=May 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919171352/http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20060425/732980-p.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=September 19, 2006}}</ref>

===Toronto Argonauts===
With Williams suspended for the entire 2006 NFL season, the [[Canadian Football League|CFL]]'s [[Toronto Argonauts]] decided to put Williams on the negotiation list for the [[2006 CFL season|2006 season]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2006 |title=Argonauts looking at Ricky Williams |publisher=TSN |url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story.asp?ID=164059 |url-status=live |access-date=May 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506042711/https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story.asp?ID=164059 |archive-date=May 6, 2006}}</ref>
This guaranteed that the team would become the rightful CFL organization to negotiate with Williams if his NFL contract were to be terminated at any time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2006 |title=Ricky Williams interested in joining Argos |publisher=TSN |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/news_story.asp?ID=164772 |access-date=May 28, 2006}}</ref> The Dolphins allowed Williams to play for the Argonauts on the condition that he would return to them in 2007.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130203103012/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-1107dolphinswilliams,0,7342630.story?coll=sfla-sports-front South Florida Sun-Sentinel story], not available online as of November 24, 2006.</ref>

On May 28, 2006, Williams became the highest-paid running back in the CFL when he signed a one-year [[Canadian dollar|Can$]]340,000 contract with the Argonauts. He chose to wear the #27 on his jersey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=John |date=May 29, 2006 |title=Williams headed to CFL, signs with Argonauts |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2461281 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230154134/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2461281 |archive-date=December 30, 2006 |access-date=May 29, 2006 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

The signing drew the ire of former Argonauts [[quarterback]] [[Joe Theismann]]. On May 30, 2006, Theismann was interviewed by Toronto radio station [[The Fan 590]] whereupon he criticized the Argonauts for signing the suspended Williams. Theismann claimed he was disgraced to be associated with a team that would knowingly sign "an addict" such as Williams. The CFL had no substance abuse policy in place, nor did it prohibit its teams from signing players suspended from other leagues, despite Williams being under contract with the Dolphins for the 2006 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=:The Fan 590 – Toronto's Sports Radio<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.fan590.com/mediaplayer/audioplayer.jsp?mediaFile=%2Fmp3s%2Fjoetheisman-ms-20060530.mp3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308141343/http://www.fan590.com/mediaplayer/audioplayer.jsp?mediaFile=%2Fmp3s%2Fjoetheisman-ms-20060530.mp3 |archive-date=March 8, 2008 |access-date=May 19, 2019}}</ref>

The Argonauts' ownership responded to Theismann's criticism, noting that Theismann's son, Joe, pleaded guilty in 2002 to a felony charge of possessing drug paraphernalia. He received a 10-year suspended prison term, was placed on five years of probation and fined. "It's really a delicate subject for him to attack someone if he has that in his own family", Argo co-owner [[David Cynamon]] said. "If I was his son and he's calling [Williams] a drug addict and he should quit and he's a loser, I'd be shattered. This thing is really bothersome."<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2006 |title=Argos owner tackles Theismann |url=http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/0602theismann.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=CBC.ca}}</ref>

Williams made his official CFL debut on June 17, 2006, in a home game against the [[2006 Hamilton Tiger-Cats season|Tiger-Cats]] at the [[Rogers Centre]]. In that game, he rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries, with his longest carry for 35 yards in the fourth quarter. Williams caught two passes for 24 yards as the Argonauts defeated the Tiger-Cats by a score of 27–17.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CFL Results June 17, 2006 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 17 @ Toronto Argonauts 27 on CFLdb Statistics |url=https://stats.cfldb.ca/league/cfl/schedule/2006/06/17/ham-at-tor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018012306/https://stats.cfldb.ca/league/cfl/schedule/2006/06/17/ham-at-tor/ |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=stats.cfldb.ca}}</ref>

On July 22, 2006, Williams suffered a broken bone in his left arm during a game against the [[2006 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|Saskatchewan Roughriders]] in [[Regina, Saskatchewan]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 22, 2006 |title=Williams out indefinitely with broken arm |publisher=[[The Sports Network|TSN]] |url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=172092&hubname= |access-date=July 22, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319031753/http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=172092&hubname= <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 19, 2007}}</ref> He underwent surgery on July 23, 2006, to repair the broken bone.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 24, 2006 |title=Toronto Argonauts Statement – Ricky Williams |publisher=Toronto Argonauts press release |url=http://www.canoe.ca/Argos/News/2006/07/24/1700575.html |url-status=usurped |access-date=July 25, 2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721171221/http://www.canoe.ca/Argos/News/2006/07/24/1700575.html |archive-date=July 21, 2012}}</ref> Shortly after injuring his arm, Williams suffered yet another injury after a door at the Argonauts' practice facility swung behind him and clipped the running back on his left [[achilles tendon]] requiring 16 stitches to close the gash.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 14, 2006 |title=Ricky ready to return for Argos |publisher=[[Rogers Sportsnet]] |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/article.jsp?content=20060914_184311_984 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 23, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125701/http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/article.jsp?content=20060914_184311_984 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref>  During his recovery, Williams received [[hyperbaric oxygen therapy]] in [[St. Catharines, Ontario]] to expedite his return from injury.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 15, 2006 |title=Williams turns to oxygen tank to heal arm |publisher=[[National Post]] |url=https://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=newser&func=display&nid=10758 |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201208/http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=newser&func=display&nid=10758 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref>  In all, Williams missed two months of game action because of the injuries, returning on September 23, 2006, against the [[Calgary Stampeders]].

In the 11 games that he played during 2006 CFL regular season, Williams rushed 109 times for 526 yards, scoring two [[touchdown]]s, with a long run of 35 yards. He caught 19 passes for 127 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams (roster info) |url=https://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=roster&func=display&ros_id=859 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007031549/http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=roster&func=display&ros_id=859 |archive-date=October 7, 2006 |access-date=November 24, 2006 |publisher=CFL.ca Network}}</ref>

Williams stated his love for Toronto and mentioned the possibility of returning to the [[Canadian Football|Canadian game]] during his professional career. "I was thinking it wouldn't be bad to come back up here and kind of follow the same steps as [[Pinball Clemons|Pinner]] – play here a couple years and maybe get a chance to coach up here", Williams said. "Because I really like Toronto, I really like this organization … you can live here, you know? You feel like you have a life. I come to work, I go home, play with my kid, walk to the store. It's really nice. I get to teach. It's wonderful here."<ref name="nationalpost_williamsweighing">{{Cite news |last=Fitz-Gerald, Sean |date=August 24, 2006 |title=Williams weighing return to CFL |publisher=National Post |url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/sports/story.html?id=fed69e7e-e5a6-47b4-b8f0-0b7945eb7ec9&k=13775 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 24, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014090840/http://canada.com/nationalpost/news/sports/story.html?id=fed69e7e-e5a6-47b4-b8f0-0b7945eb7ec9&k=13775 |archive-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref> In another interview, he expressed further desire to remain in the CFL, "If I came back here, you can put me anywhere", he says. "Up here, I can play offense, defense, special teams. I can do everything. I can block, play tight end, running back, receiver&nbsp;— even play the line. The NFL is so structured&nbsp;— 'You do this.' Here I can do so much."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saraceno, Joe |date=November 6, 2006 |title=Living in the moment, Williams enjoying his time in Canada |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2006-11-05-williams_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805024854/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2006-11-05-williams_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA |archive-date=August 5, 2011}}</ref>

With the controversy over, the Argonauts signing Williams prompted outgoing CFL [[commissioner]] [[Tom Wright (sports executive)|Tom Wright]], in his final state of the league address, to introduce a new rule that would come in effect before the start of the [[2007 CFL season]] that would prevent a player under suspension in the NFL from signing with a CFL club. This rule has been informally dubbed "The Ricky Williams Rule."

The new rule, however, was [[Grandfather clause|grandfathered]] so that players who were still playing in the league, such as Argonaut [[offensive tackle|tackle]] [[Bernard Williams (American football)|Bernard Williams]], who was suspended by the NFL for drug abuse and did not seek reinstatement when the ban ended, could continue playing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 20, 2006 |title=CFL to bar suspended NFL players |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Company|CBC]] Sports |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-to-bar-suspended-nfl-players-1.589744?ref=rss |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014080902/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/greycup/story/2006/11/16/cfl-rules.html?ref=rss |archive-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Matsumoto |first=Rick |date=November 17, 2006 |title=CFL unveils 'Ricky Williams Rule' |publisher=[[The Toronto Star]] |url=https://www.thestar.com/article/154141 |url-status=live |access-date=March 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929171050/http://www.thestar.com/article/154141 |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref>

===Miami Dolphins (second stint)===
On May 11, 2007, an anonymous source reported that Williams had failed a drug test again. The source indicated that NFL medical advisors had recommended to the commissioner that Williams not be allowed to apply for reinstatement that September.<ref name="mortensen_docs_recommend">{{Cite news |last=Mortensen, Chris |date=May 12, 2007 |title=Docs recommend delay of Williams' NFL reinstatement |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2867381 |url-status=live |access-date=May 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070511185527/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2867381 |archive-date=May 11, 2007}}</ref>

Williams adhered to a strict regimen of multiple drug tests per week in 2007 as part of his attempt to be reinstated by the NFL. He practiced [[yoga]], which, he claimed, helped him to stop using [[marijuana]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ostler, Scott |date=March 1, 2007 |title=Williams' clear vision: An NFL comeback |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2007%2F03%2F01%2FSPG5KODA3M1.DTL |url-status=live |access-date=April 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311090500/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2007%2F03%2F01%2FSPG5KODA3M1.DTL |archive-date=March 11, 2007}}</ref> In October 2007, NFL commissioner [[Roger Goodell]] granted his request for reinstatement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2007 |title=NFL reinstates suspended Dolphins RB Williams |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3109760 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314204344/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3109760 |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Williams returned for a ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game on November 26, 2007. He rushed six times for 15 yards before [[Lawrence Timmons]], a [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] linebacker, stepped on his right shoulder, tearing his pectoral muscle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers - November 26th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711260pit.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184459/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711260pit.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> The next day it was reported that he would miss the rest of the season,<ref name="agent">{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2007 |title=Agent: Injury ends Ricky Williams' '07 comeback |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3130119 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418231605/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3130119 |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and on November 28, Williams was placed on injured reserve.<ref name="agent" />

Williams bounced back in the 2008 season, rushing for 659 yards on 160 carries and scoring four touchdowns while playing in all 16 games for the Dolphins. He and Ronnie Brown ran the [[Wildcat formation]] together, resulting in an 11–5 season for the Dolphins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2008/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325221749/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2008/ |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2008.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023024134/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2008.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

In 2009, during the [[2009 Miami Dolphins season|Dolphins]] ninth game, starting running back [[Ronnie Brown]] suffered a season-ending injury,<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2009 |title=Dolphins' Brown on crutches after hurting ankle |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4657595 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305204322/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4657595 |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and Williams, at age 32, became the starter for the remainder of the year. In Week 11, against the [[2009 Carolina Panthers|Carolina Panthers]], he had 22 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers - November 19th, 2009 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200911190car.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119125902/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200911190car.htm |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL Week 11 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/week_11.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005175850/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/week_11.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He finished the season with 1,121 yards rushing and a 4.7 [[yards per carry]], along the way setting an [[National Football League|NFL]] record of the longest time span (six years) between 1,000 yard seasons (2003–2009).<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2009 |title=Williams' six years between 1,000-yard seasons is an NFL record |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/williams-six-years-between-1-000-yard-seasons-is-an-nfl-record-09000d5d8151b38a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212111003/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8151b38a/article/williams-six-years-between-1000yard-seasons-is-an-nfl-record |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>  Williams also became only the seventh player in NFL history to begin a season age 32 or older and reach 1,000 yards rushing during that season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2010 |title=Ricky Williams has plenty left in the tank |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/24982 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324181140/http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/24982 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2009.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023023930/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2009.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2009/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327011120/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2009/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

In the 2010 season, Williams carried 159 times for 673 yards and two touchdowns for the Dolphins while splitting duties, averaging 4.2 yards a carry at the age of 33.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2010/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325074429/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2010/ |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

===Baltimore Ravens===
Williams signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the [[Baltimore Ravens]] on August 8, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2011 |title=Ravens add Ricky Williams to backfield mix |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/6844377 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324180524/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/6844377 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Williams scored his first touchdown of the season against the [[2011 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] on October 16.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens - October 16th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201110160rav.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702194524/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201110160rav.htm |archive-date=July 2, 2017 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> He finished the 2011 season with 444 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327083856/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00/gamelog/2011/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> On January 1, 2012, Williams surpassed the 10,000 career rushing yards mark and became the 26th player in the history of the NFL to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders Through 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_career_2011.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010031705/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_career_2011.htm |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> 

===Retirement===
On February 7, 2012, Williams informed the Ravens of his retirement from the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2012 |title=Ricky Williams retiring from NFL after 11 years |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7551024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324180634/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7551024 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Williams was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023 and 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2023 |title=173 Modern-Era Nominees announced for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2023/09/173-modern-era-nominees-announced-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2024 |access-date=October 18, 2023 |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=167 modern-era players nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/167-modern-era-players-nominated-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025 |access-date=26 June 2025 |date=18 September 2024}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" | Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! colspan="6"| Rushing
! colspan="6"| Receiving
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD !! Fum !! Lost
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] || [[1999 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 12 || 253 || 884 || 3.5 || 25 || 2 || 45 || 28 || 172 || 6.1 || 29 || 0 || 8 || 6 || 3
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] || [[2000 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 10 || 248 || 1,000 || 4.0 || 26 || 8 || 56 || 44 || 409 || '''9.3''' || 24 || 1 || '''19''' || 6 || 3
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] || [[2001 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 16 || 313 || 1,245 || 4.0 || 46 || 6 || 58 || '''60''' || '''511''' || 8.5 || 42 || 1 || '''19''' || 8 || 6
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] || [[2002 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 16 || 383 ||style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''1,853''' || '''4.8''' || 63 || '''16''' || '''89''' || 47 || 363 || 7.7 || 52 || 1 || 14 || 7 || 5
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] || [[2003 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 16 || '''392''' || 1,372 || 3.5 || 45 || 9 || 68 || 50 || 351 || 7.0 || '''59''' || 1 || 11 || 7 || 5
|-
! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] || [[2005 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 12 || 168 || 743 || 4.4 || 35 || 6 || 37 || 17 || 93 || 5.5 || 19 || 0 || 3 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[2006 NFL season|2006]] || [[2006 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 0 || colspan="14"| ''Suspended''
|-
! [[2007 NFL season|2007]] || [[2007 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 1 || 6 || 15 || 2.5 || 6 || 0 || 2 || — || — || — || — || — || — || 1 || 1
|-
! [[2008 NFL season|2008]] || [[2008 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 16 || 160 || 659 || 4.1 || 51 || 4 || 35 || 29 || 219 || 7.6 || 47 || 1 || 9 || 5 || 2
|-
! [[2009 NFL season|2009]] || [[2009 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 16 || 241 || 1,121 || 4.7 || '''68''' || 11 || 55 || 35 || 264 || 7.5 || '''59''' || '''2''' || 9 || 5 || 2
|-
! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] || [[2010 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| 16 || 159 || 673 || 4.2 || 45 || 2 || 26 || 19 || 141 || 7.4 || 28 || 1 || 6 || 4 || 2
|-
! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] || [[2011 Baltimore Ravens season|BAL]]
| 16 || 108 || 444 || 4.1 || 28 || 2 || 20 || 13 || 83 || 6.4 || 18 || 0 || 5 || 2 || 2
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillRi00.htm Career] || 147 || 2,431 || 10,009 || 4.1 || 68 || 66 || 491 || 342 || 2,606 || 7.6 || 59 || 8 || 103 || 52 || 32
|}

===Miami Dolphins franchise records===
* Most rushing yards (season): 1,853 (2002)<ref name="ssr">{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins Single-Season Rushing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/single-season-rushing.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214171838/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/single-season-rushing.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

==After football==
In 2013, Williams was hired as the running backs coach at [[Incarnate Word Cardinals football|the University of Incarnate Word]] in San Antonio, where he worked for two seasons. In 2015 he returned to Texas to get his degree in educational psychology, which he completed in 2017. He then served as an analyst on Longhorn Network's GameDay show for several years. He then became a wellness expert and entrepreneur, co-founder of Real Wellness Herbal, a licensed astrologer and CEO of LILA Astrology, spokesman, podcaster and involved in numerous business ventures.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dehmel |first1=Will |title=Ricky Williams set for Heisman 25th Anniversary Salute |url=https://texaslonghorns.com/news/2023/11/3/football-ricky-williams-set-for-heisman-25th-anniversary-salute.aspx |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=texaslonghorns.com |date=3 November 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Williams is a medical [[cannabis]] advocate. He once stated his "personal goal is to elevate the legitimacy of cannabis as a medicine and the respect of medical professionals for cannabis users."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmitt |first=Ben |date=April 28, 2017 |title=NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says marijuana is addictive and unhealthy for players |url=https://archive.triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-says-marijuana-is-addictive-and-unhealthy-for-players/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324180907/https://archive.triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-says-marijuana-is-addictive-and-unhealthy-for-players/ |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=Trib Live}}</ref> By 1999, Williams had several [[tattoo]]s: one of a spider web on his shoulder, one of [[Mickey Mouse]] on his biceps, a barbed wire around his arm, one of a [[dagger]] on his [[Pectoralis major|pectoral]], and a [[Gemini (astrology)|Gemini]] symbol on his other pectoral.{{sfn|Richardson|1999|pp=5–6}}

Williams has admitted being very shy and was diagnosed with [[social anxiety disorder]], [[borderline personality disorder]], and [[avoidant personality disorder]] with which he struggled to cope during his football career.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bronner Helm |first=Angela |date=May 28, 2016 |title=Ex-NFL Player Ricky Williams to Open Weed-Based Gym |work=The Root |url=http://www.theroot.com/ex-nfl-player-ricky-williams-to-open-weed-based-gym-1790855449 |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121145212/http://www.theroot.com/ex-nfl-player-ricky-williams-to-open-weed-based-gym-1790855449 |archive-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Peter |first=Josh |date=August 8, 2018 |title=Ex-NFL star Ricky Williams gets high ... on astrology |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/08/08/ex-nfl-star-ricky-williams-gets-high-astrology/915539002/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401064725/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/08/08/ex-nfl-star-ricky-williams-gets-high-astrology/915539002/ |archive-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref> Williams was treated with [[psychotherapy|therapy]] and [[medication]]. Williams was briefly a spokesperson for the drug [[Paroxetine|Paxil]] as [[Pharmacotherapy|treatment]]. He worked with the drug company [[GlaxoSmithKline]] to educate the public about the disorder.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 22, 2002 |title=Social anxiety disorder: Miami Dolphin Ricky Williams |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-10-22-williams.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060127042133/http://www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-10-22-williams.htm |archive-date=January 27, 2006}}</ref> Williams later quit using Paxil and said that cannabis was a much better form of treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Williams Latest Victim of Marijuana Prohibition |url=http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr080404williams.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060116210438/http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr080404williams.html |archive-date=January 16, 2006 |access-date=January 16, 2006 |website=MPP.org}}<!--Cannot complete cite tag as of 2006-11-25; redesigned site means link is dead--></ref>

Williams is a qualified [[yoga]] instructor. He has stated that one of his main reasons for joining the [[Canadian Football League]]'s [[Toronto Argonauts]] was for the opportunity to teach free [[yoga]] lessons at a local [[Toronto]] yoga facility. It has been reported that Williams uses [[Prana|pranic healing]], no-touch energy healing system, to recover from injuries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Janie |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Ricky Williams is Kookier Than We Thought |work=MSNBC.com |url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/sports/Ricky-Williams-is-Kookier-Than-We-Thought-71809452.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714161012/http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/sports/Ricky-Williams-is-Kookier-Than-We-Thought-71809452.html |archive-date=July 14, 2011}}</ref><ref name="karma">{{Cite news |date=May 30, 2006 |title=Yoga helps Williams find his karma |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060530.WILLIAMS30/TPStory/TPSports/Football/ |url-status=dead |access-date=May 31, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601115756/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060530.WILLIAMS30/TPStory/TPSports/Football/ |archive-date=June 1, 2006}}</ref> In 2009, Williams enrolled at [[Acupuncture and Massage College]] in [[Miami|Miami, Florida]] to study [[Massage|massage therapy]] and [[Shiatsu|Japanese Shiatsu]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bishop |first=Greg |date=July 21, 2009 |title=Ricky Williams Is Hoping to Heal Others, and His Image |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/sports/football/22williams.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012825/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/sports/football/22williams.html |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 25, 2009 |title=Acupuncture & Massage College Announces Ricky William's Scholarship |work=PRWeb |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2258234.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304140413/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2258234.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2022}}</ref> In 2018, Williams co-founded an herbal wellness company with his second wife Linnea Miron named Real.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Huddleston |first=Tom Jr. |date=April 20, 2018 |title=Ricky Williams says his pot-smoking in the NFL cost him $10 million — now he's making a business out of cannabis |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/20/ex-nfl-player-ricky-williams-launches-real-wellness-cannabis-products.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420160823/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/20/ex-nfl-player-ricky-williams-launches-real-wellness-cannabis-products.html |archive-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref>

In May 2022, Williams legally changed his last name to Miron, his wife's last name, after they married.<ref name="le batard">{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.worldofsuey.com/podcast/episode/31e87163/the-big-suey-polls-ricky-williams |title=The Big Suey: Polls + Ricky Williams |website=[[The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz]] |date=May 20, 2022 |time=13:15 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010031657/https://www.worldofsuey.com/podcast/episode/31e87163/the-big-suey-polls-ricky-williams |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The son of a minister, Williams was raised [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] and attended church twice a week during his childhood. He still self-identifies as a Christian, but his yoga study opened his mind to other religions, and his exact views on religion are difficult to label. He believes religions are cultural, and his beliefs are inclusive of at least some [[Christianity|Christian]], [[Islam|Muslim]], [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], and [[Hinduism|Hindu]] philosophies.<ref name="Graham">{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Tim |date=September 17, 2010 |title=Ricky Williams on fasting, energy, religion |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/18355/ricky-williams-on-fasting-and-religion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002700/http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/18355/ricky-williams-on-fasting-and-religion |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref>  Williams is in the first year of a master's program at [[Emperor's College]] of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica, CA.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 2018 |title=Second Act Dept.: Medicinal |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/05/07/why-the-nfls-ricky-williams-suggests-cannabis-for-constipation |url-status=live |magazine=The New Yorker |pages=20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507221726/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/05/07/why-the-nfls-ricky-williams-suggests-cannabis-for-constipation |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2018 |via=newyorker.com}}</ref>

In 2015, Williams signed with global talent agency [[William Morris Endeavor]] (WME) for representation in media prior to being inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullen |first=Liz |title=WME Signs Longhorn Network's Ricky Williams for Representation |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2015/12/04/Ricky.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209041037/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2015/12/04/Ricky.aspx |archive-date=February 9, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com|date=December 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Bryan |date=January 9, 2015 |title=Ricky Williams among the 17 chosen for CFB Hall of Fame |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ricky-williams-among-the-17-chosen-for-cfb-hall-of-fame-0ap3000000455726 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216093558/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000455726/article/ricky-williams-among-the-17-chosen-for-cfb-hall-of-fame |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

Williams is a [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Tim |date=September 17, 2010 |title=Ricky Williams on fasting, energy, religion |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/18355/ricky-williams-on-fasting-and-religion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023213650/https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/18355/ricky-williams-on-fasting-and-religion |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> He was previously a [[vegan]] or at least had a [[vegetarianism|meat-free diet]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santiago |first=Jennifer |title=Ricky Williams: Taking the Veggie Plunge |publisher=PETAWorld |url=http://www.petaworld.com/RickyWilliams.asp |url-status=dead |access-date=June 9, 2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060323231702/http://www.petaworld.com/RickyWilliams.asp |archive-date=March 23, 2006}}</ref><ref>Scherer, Logan (November 24, 2009), [https://web.archive.org/web/20120502052231/http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2009/11/24/ricky-williams-from-nfl-star-to-restaurateur.aspx Ricky Williams: From NFL Star to Restaurateur], People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, archived from [http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2009/11/24/ricky-williams-from-nfl-star-to-restaurateur.aspx the original] on 2012-05-01, retrieved May 1, 2012</ref><ref>Jackson, Barry (November 24, 2009), [https://web.archive.org/web/20110624053512/http://www.vegsource.com/news/2009/11/vegan-nfl-player-opens-new-restaurant.html Vegan NFL player opens new restaurant], VegSource Interactive, Inc., archived from [http://www.vegsource.com/news/2009/11/vegan-nfl-player-opens-new-restaurant.html the original]  on 2011-06-24, retrieved May 1, 2012</ref><ref>Thewes, Alysson (June 14, 2011), [https://web.archive.org/web/20110618182016/http://www.veganmainstream.com/the-vegan-health-nut-breaking-the-stereotype The Vegan Health Nut: Breaking the Stereotype], Vegan Mainstream, archived from [http://www.veganmainstream.com/the-vegan-health-nut-breaking-the-stereotype the original]  on 2011-06-18, retrieved May 1, 2012</ref> Tim Graham has reported that Greek yogurt is the only non-vegan food in Williams's diet.<ref name="Graham" /> [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]] has used video of him praising meatless alternatives to popular chicken dishes.<ref>Brbaklić, David (January 27, 2012), [https://web.archive.org/web/20120128223817/http://www.brandingmagazine.com/2012/01/27/peta-fights-super-bowl-chicken-wing-eating-tradition/ PETA Fights Super Bowl Chicken Wing Eating Tradition], Branding Magazine, archived from [http://www.brandingmagazine.com/2012/01/27/peta-fights-super-bowl-chicken-wing-eating-tradition/ the original] on 2012-05-01, retrieved May 1, 2012</ref>

Williams was the single-largest victim of professional scam artist/fraudster Peggy Ann Fulford (Peggy King, Peggy Williams, Peggy Ann Barard, ''etc.''), who stole $3.01{{nbsp}}million from Williams, amongst the $5.79{{nbsp}}million in total she stole from him, [[Travis Best]], [[Dennis Rodman]], [[Rashad McCants]], [[Lex Hilliard]] and others.<ref name=PeggyTheCrook>{{Cite magazine |last=Prewitt |first=Alex |date=September 19, 2019 |title=The Peggy Show: Every athlete's worst nightmare |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/09/19/athete-financial-advisor-embezzlement-fraud-scandal-peggy-ann-fulford |access-date=October 10, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323234718/https://www.si.com/nba/2019/09/19/athete-financial-advisor-embezzlement-fraud-scandal-peggy-ann-fulford |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |language=en-us}}</ref> Fulford, who was indicted by the FBI in December 2016, continued her criminal activity until sentenced in February 2018 to 10 years in prison and full financial restitution (unlikely) to her victims.<ref name=PeggyTheCrook/>

==In the media==
* Williams appeared as a football analyst on the [[Longhorn Network]] for ''Texas GameDay'' and ''Texas GameDay Final''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2013 |title=Longhorn Legend Ricky Williams and David Greene Join Longhorn Network for Fall 2013 |url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2013/08/longhorn-legend-ricky-williams-and-david-greene-join-longhorn-network-for-fall-2013/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015345/http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2013/08/longhorn-legend-ricky-williams-and-david-greene-join-longhorn-network-for-fall-2013/ |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=September 7, 2013 |website=ESPN Media Zone}}</ref>
* Williams appeared in an infomercial for Natural Golf alongside Mike Ditka and appeared alongside him in a [[wedding dress]] on the cover of ''ESPN The Magazine''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2002 |title=Mike Ditka Joins Natural Golf Team |url=http://www.golftransactions.com/people/ditka102802.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927163831/http://www.golftransactions.com/people/ditka102802.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=November 25, 2006 |publisher=The Wire}}</ref>
* [[HBO]]'s ''[[Inside the NFL]]'' had a skit about Williams trying to return to the Dolphins. It featured him trying to raise $8.6 million, avoiding drug tests, and even asking [[Dan Marino]] to return with him.
* Williams appeared on the cover of ''[[NCAA Football 2000]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Broadwell|first=Josh|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2024/09/07/every-ea-ncaa-football-cover-star-since-1993/75120259007/|title=Every EA NCAA Football cover star since 1993 (including College Football 25!)|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=September 7, 2024|access-date=April 22, 2025}}</ref>
* Williams's likeness appeared on the cover of the original ''[[NFL Street]]''. He did not appear in the sequels ''[[NFL Street 2]]'' or ''[[NFL Street 3]]'' as both games were released during his suspended seasons (2004 and 2006).
* Williams played a cameo role in the feature film ''[[Stuck on You (film)|Stuck on You]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Elvis |date=December 12, 2003 |title=FILM REVIEW; One Hungers for Fame, One's Along for the Ride |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/12/movies/film-review-one-hungers-for-fame-one-s-along-for-the-ride.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516025916/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/12/movies/film-review-one-hungers-for-fame-one-s-along-for-the-ride.html |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Williams makes an appearance on the third season of the physical reality game show, ''[[Pros vs. Joes]]'' on [[SpikeTV]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2008 |title=Ricky Williams Runs Again – Pros vs. Joes (Season 3, Episode 2) |url=https://tv.apple.com/ca/episode/ricky-williams-runs-again/umc.cmc.34ntvntn7mrdntikkp139x4xd?showId=umc.cmc.2ojf9vj2i0ss5r59q435s9k82 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010031704/https://tv.apple.com/ca/episode/ricky-williams-runs-again/umc.cmc.34ntvntn7mrdntikkp139x4xd?showId=umc.cmc.2ojf9vj2i0ss5r59q435s9k82 |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Apple TV |language=en-CA}}</ref>
* Williams is the subject of an [[ESPN Films]] documentary entitled "Run Ricky Run". It is part of ESPN's [[30 for 30]] documentary series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run Ricky Run - ESPN Films: 30 for 30 |url=http://www.espn.com/30for30/film?page=run-ricky-run |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921225908/http://www.espn.com/30for30/film?page=run-ricky-run |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=www.espn.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Williams is the subject of an [[NFL Network]] film ''[[A Football Life|Ricky Williams: A Football Life]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2014 |title=NFL Network's "A Football Life" profiles Ricky Williams |url=http://www.texassports.com/news/2014/10/29/FB_1029140819.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624182156/http://www.texassports.com/news/2014/10/29/FB_1029140819.aspx |archive-date=June 24, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |website=University of Texas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sneak Peek – "Ricky Williams: A Football Life" |url=http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2014/10/28/sneak-peek-ricky-williams-a-football-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016201009/http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2014/10/28/sneak-peek-ricky-williams-a-football-life/ |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
* In 2017 Williams participated in ''[[The New Celebrity Apprentice]]'', finishing in 7th place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Botticello |first=Mike |date=February 1, 2017 |title=Ricky Williams Is Off 'The Celebrity Apprentice' But Back on Top of His Life |url=https://www.esquire.com/sports/news/a52494/ricky-williams-interview-celebrity-apprentics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228160639/https://www.esquire.com/sports/news/a52494/ricky-williams-interview-celebrity-apprentics/ |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |access-date=August 12, 2020 |website=Esquire}}</ref>
* In 2018, Williams appeared on [[Hell's Kitchen (American season 17)|seventeenth season of ''Hell's Kitchen'']] as guest star, and cooking in pair with the contestant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Arvin |date=January 25, 2018 |title=Reggie Miller Makes Awkward TV Appearance On Show You'd Never Expect [WATCH] |url=https://clutchpoints.com/nba-video-reggie-miller-appears-on-hells-kitchen-episode/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424175054/https://clutchpoints.com/nba-video-reggie-miller-appears-on-hells-kitchen-episode/ |archive-date=April 24, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=ClutchPoints |language=en-US}}</ref>
* On January 13, 2019, it was announced Williams would be a houseguest in the [[Celebrity Big Brother 2 (American season)|second American season]] of the reality show competition ''[[Celebrity Big Brother (American TV series)|Celebrity Big Brother]].''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porreca |first=Brian |date=January 13, 2019 |title='Celebrity Big Brother' Cast Includes Anthony Scaramucci, Dina Lohan and Ryan Lochte |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/celebrity-big-brother-cast-revealed-ryan-lochte-anthony-scaramucci-dina-lohan-more-1175684 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116053657/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/celebrity-big-brother-cast-revealed-ryan-lochte-anthony-scaramucci-dina-lohan-more-1175684 |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |website=www.hollywoodreporter.com/ |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=January 13, 2019 |title=Anthony Scaramucci among 12 new Celebrity Big Brother houseguests |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/01/13/celebrity-big-brother-cast-anthony-scaramucci/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116045523/https://ew.com/tv/2019/01/13/celebrity-big-brother-cast-anthony-scaramucci/ |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |website=www.ew.com/ |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Williams finished as the season's runner up, losing to [[Tamar Braxton]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nogle |first=Kevin |date=February 15, 2019 |title=Ricky Williams finishes second in Celebrity Big Brother |url=https://www.thephinsider.com/2019/2/15/18226245/celebrity-big-brother-season-2-ricky-williams-second-place-tamar-braxton |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215652/https://www.thephinsider.com/2019/2/15/18226245/celebrity-big-brother-season-2-ricky-williams-second-place-tamar-braxton |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2019 |website=thephinsider.com}}</ref>
* On February 11, 2022, Williams appeared on the ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher (season 20)|Real Time with Bill Maher]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turnquist |first=Kristi |date=February 12, 2022 |title='Real Time With Bill Maher' guests include NFL player-turned-weed entrepreneur: How to watch online |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2022/02/real-time-with-bill-maher-guests-include-nfl-player-turned-weed-entrepreneur-how-to-watch-online.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604022348/https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2022/02/real-time-with-bill-maher-guests-include-nfl-player-turned-weed-entrepreneur-how-to-watch-online.html |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=oregonlive |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I FBS running backs with at least 50 career rushing touchdowns]]
* [[List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders]]
* [[List of NCAA major college football yearly scoring leaders]]
* [[List of New Orleans Saints first-round draft picks]]
* [[List of celebrities who own cannabis businesses]]
* [[List of Texas Longhorns football All-Americans]]
* [[List of doping cases in sport]]
* [[Cannabis and sports]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==Sources==
*{{Cite book |last=Richardson |first=Steve |title=Ricky Williams: Dreadlocks to Ditka |date=October 1999 |publisher=Sports Publishing Inc. |isbn=978-1-58261-144-0}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite news |date=November 23, 2004 |title=Deal needs his approval, NFL's blessing |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1930434&type=story |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050330144318/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1930434&type=story |archive-date=March 30, 2005}}
* {{Cite news |date=November 23, 2004 |title=Williams ready to share his compassion |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1929584 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050315214314/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1929584 |archive-date=March 15, 2005 |access-date=May 14, 2005 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}
* {{Cite news |date=July 25, 2004 |title=Williams trades demands of NFL for travel |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1846361 |url-status=live |access-date=July 26, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040810101752/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1846361 |archive-date=August 10, 2004}}
* {{Cite news |date=March 8, 2002 |title=Williams now on his way to Miami |agency=Associated Press |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0308/1347670.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921235946/http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0308/1347670.html |archive-date=September 21, 2011}}
* {{Cite news |date=December 11, 1999 |title=Dayne delivers again with Heisman |agency=Associated Press |url=http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/s/1999/1211/228114.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726103344/http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/s/1999/1211/228114.html |archive-date=July 26, 2012}}
* {{Cite web |title=NFL Draft: Ricky Williams, Running Back |url=http://www.jsonline.com/packer/stat/apr99/rb-williams.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050222173602/http://www.jsonline.com/packer/stat/apr99/rb-williams.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=February 22, 2005 |access-date=May 13, 2005 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Instagram}}
* {{College Football HoF|2388}}
* {{Heisman|ricky-williams}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=ricky-williams |cfl=<!--1655--> |espn=1756 |cbs=133448 |yahoo=4653 |si=<!--4653--> |pfr=W/WillRi00}}
* {{Baseballstats| brm=willia001err}}
* {{IMDb name}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Ricky Williams—awards and honors
| list =
{{Heisman Winners}}
{{Maxwell Award Winners}}
{{Walter Camp Award}}
{{AP Players of the Year}}
{{Sporting News College Football Player of the Year}}
{{Doak Walker Award winners}}
{{1997 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1998 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Big 12 Conference football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{NFL rushing yards leaders}}
{{10,000 rushing yards club}}
{{1999 NFL Draft}}
{{SaintsFirstPick}}
{{Saints1999DraftPicks}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Ricky}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
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[[Category:Canadian football running backs]]
[[Category:Doping cases in American football]]
[[Category:Heisman Trophy winners]]
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[[Category:People with avoidant personality disorder]]
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[[Category:Walter Camp Award winners]]
[[Category:Maxwell Award winners]]
[[Category:Patrick Henry High School (California) alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]