I finally like Ricky Williams........................

[Nanookster]

- On playing in the CFL:

"It's the most fun I've had playing football in my whole professional football career. Part of it was in Canada their reaction to me was different ... I think my lifestyle, the fact that I'm more laidback and more open was received much better than it is in the U.S."

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjourna...825e3595cd&p=2

As far as Nook is concerned about, the CFL is all about having fun.

[Opus]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

If you were paying attention, he was saying those things on a weekly basis when he was up here......

[Rider TD]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

Ricky Williams was a breath of fresh air (so to speak ) in the CFL. He was open, honest, and was genuinely appreciative the whole time he was in the league. I have a great deal of respect for him...especially when he barbecued the Toronto media for asking him stupid questions about players "turning up the intensity" when the playoffs start.

I have nothing but good things to say about Ricky Williams.

[Nanookster]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

I didn't expect he'd say the same stuff once he returned to the NFL.

[Numberz]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

I've always liked Ricky Williams, and supported his decisions in retirement and whatnot. If anyone saw his interview with NFL Network (which that quote is from IIRC) he just seems like he wants to have fun and be happy. I think the NFL was just too stressful for him, and it's going to be when (or if) he gets back. His age shouldn't be a problem though, he's had time off and his body should be healed and better than most 30 year old RBs.

[Sectionq]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

I think the reason why he had so much "fun" was the road trips to BC. BC bud is supposed to be top quality.

[Opus]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

I've always liked Ricky Williams, and supported his decisions in retirement and whatnot. If anyone saw his interview with NFL Network (which that quote is from IIRC) he just seems like he wants to have fun and be happy. I think the NFL was just too stressful for him, and it's going to be when (or if) he gets back. His age shouldn't be a problem though, he's had time off and his body should be healed and better than most 30 year old RBs.

I gave him flak when he walked out on his team and IMO it was deserved at the time.

That said; I was impressed with his demeanor and respectfulness of the CFL game in his time here.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

He may have had fun in Canada, and he may be a nice fellow...but I still think he's a dumbass.

[quake]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

He may have had fun in Canada, and he may be a nice fellow...but I still think he's a dumbass.

To each his own. He just happens to like smoking pot better than he like playing in the NFL.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

To each his own. He just happens to like smoking pot better than he like playing in the NFL.

Yup...and IMHCO, that makes him a dumbass.

[Rider TD]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

Yup...and IMHCO, that makes him a dumbass.

He believes in self actualization and is more worldly than you. I don't think that makes him a dumbass...quite the opposite in fact.

[newton]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

I never had a problem with his attitude, but I was happy to see him put up a pretty ordinary to sub par season as a feature RB in the CFL. Some CFL fans didnt realize that the talent, skill and specialization of the CFL game was played to that high a level. (absurd isnt it?) yet here was an NFL star in his prime...and he didnt blow the doors off the league.

A lesson that was proven many times before RW and likely many times afterwards.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

He believes in self actualization and is more worldly than you. I don't think that makes him a dumbass...quite the opposite in fact.

Smoking pot makes you worldly? Gimmie a fargin break.

Choice A: Stay clean and drug free, play pro football, make millions.

Choice B: Smoke a bunch of weed, go to Tibet to find yourself, sit cross legged humming.


Someone who makes choice B is a dumbass.

[Opus]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

I never had a problem with his attitude, but I was happy to see him put up a pretty ordinary to sub par season as a feature RB in the CFL. Some CFL fans didnt realize that the talent, skill and specialization of the CFL game was played to that high a level. (absurd isnt it?) yet here was an NFL star in his prime...and he didnt blow the doors off the league.

A lesson that was proven many times before RW and likely many times afterwards.

however, in fairness he was never used in a manner to maximise his skill set.

You can't give him the ball less than 10 times in a game and expect monster numbers.......he's not that type of back. Neither was Mike Pringle....

[Nanookster]

Re: I finally like Ricky Williams........................

The only real reason I gave him flak is due to the fact most people thought he was going to come to the CFL and run all over us. He was getting flak from me not for being "Ricky Williams'" but due to a frustrated and perceived view I have that even CFL fans think that NFL players are superior humans specimens to what we have in the CFL.

The NFL is all hype with is boosted by a large population and therefore more money goes to it to promote it.

We only have 30 million people in our country, heck, even California has more than that. But we get the players who truly love the game, those whom when their NFL dream is dead they still have the passion and desire to play.

I will always contend that the athletes in the CFL are no different than those in the NFL. In most instances the NFL guys were in the right place at the right time. Just like anything else.