Ricky Williams Wants to See Marijuana Become #1 Part of NFL Treatment. Would It Be HUGE Amongst Players?

Ricky Williams was one of the most dynamic running backs of his generation. His career was derailed by multiple suspensions for marijuana that stemmed from failed drug tests.  Since retiring from the league more than a decade ago, the 2002 first-team All-Pro has become an advocate for medicinal cannabis usage, particularly to treat injuries.

While NFL rules are not as harsh as they were when Williams played and was suspended five times, he is hoping for the league to allow teams to use marijuana as a post-game treatment.  Speaking to TMZ Sports, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner stated:

“I think if the NFL would have had these same kinds of regulations when I was playing, it would have allowed me to get more out of that time in my life. Knowing that, part of what I went through is opening doors for players to be able to take care of themselves and not be punished.

I think the next step, though, is at the end of a game, if we’re on the plane ride home, the trainer is walking down the aisle and has two capsule cases – one of Ambien, and the other one of Vicodin, and he’s walking down the aisle and saying, ‘Do you need any of this, do you need any of this?’ And the truth is, for football players, we do need something because it hurts, and you’re all revved up and it’s hard to calm down go to sleep. And I’d love to see cannabis as being one of those things that the trainer is walking down the aisle and offering to those players.”

While Williams’ career was derailed due to the league’s marijuana policy, he is now advocating to protect other players from following his path.  The star running back missed nearly four seasons in the middle of his prime due to his suspensions, as well as an injury.

How did marijuana affect Ricky Williams’ NFL career?

Ricky Williams entered the NFL as one of the most highly-touted running back prospects of all time. After finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 1997, he won the award in 1998 as he ran for 2124 yards and 27 touchdowns. In four seasons as a member of the Texas Longhorns, Williams finished with 6279 rushing yards and 72 touchdowns on 1011 carries. He added 85 receptions for 927 yards and three touchdowns.

The New Orleans Saints selected Ricky Williams fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft after trading all of their 1999 draft picks and their first and third-round 2022 draft picks to move up seven spots.  While he had success in New Orleans, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins after just three seasons. Williams broke out with 1853 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season in Miami. At the time, his yardage total marked the eighth-highest clip in NFL history.

𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Former #NFL RB Ricky Williams wants to see the league allow teams to treat players with marijuana after games, he told @TMZ_Sports

“The truth is, for football players, we do need something because it hurts, and you're all revved up and it's hard to calm down… pic.twitter.com/UoiEOTLm8x

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 5, 2023

After another strong season in 2003, Ricky Williams reportedly failed three drug tests in the offseason and subsequently announced his retirement. After missing the 2004 season, he returned and served a four-game suspension. Despite splitting touches, Williams had a strong 2005 season. However, he was suspended for the entire 2006 season after another failed test.

While Williams reportedly failed another test prior to his return, he was reinstated under the condition that he was tested multiple times a week.  The All-Pro running back retired following the 2011 season, rushing for 10009 yards and 66 touchdowns while adding 342 receptions for 2606 yards and eight touchdowns. He retired as the 26th leading rusher in NFL history. However, there will always be questions as to how high he could have climbed if not for his suspensions.