Pubdate: Sat, 12 May 2007
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Rick Matsumoto, Sports Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/people/Ricky+Williams

ANOTHER POSITIVE TEST FOR RICKY?

Williams done as an Argo and NFL return in jeopardy

There will be no second coming of Ricky Williams with the
Argonauts.

Team president Keith Pelley made that clear yesterday, not long after
a report surfaced that the ignominious star running back, who spent
last season with the Argos, had failed a substance abuse test that
could prevent him from returning to the NFL this season.

"I can say definitively that Ricky will not be back this year," said
Pelley, pointing out that the CFL's board of governors passed a
resolution last month that prohibits a player who is under a drug
suspension with the NFL from playing in the CFL.

Pelley added that the CFL's new salary cap would also prevent the
Argos from bringing Williams back.

"It would be impossible, even if we wanted to bring Ricky back," he
said.

A year ago, at the time of the controversial signing of Williams --
who had been banned for a year by the NFL for failing a drug test for
the fourth time -- Pelley said he was certain the player had kicked
his admitted penchant for smoking marijuana.

"People have asked me, 'Is he clean?'" said Pelley. "I'm not a
gambling man, but I would bet my house this man is clean."

NFL officials monitored Williams, who turns 30 on May 21, 10 times a
month during his stay with the Argos.

Yesterday, Pelley continued to support Williams, who remains the
property of the Dolphins.

"If the rumour does in fact become reality I'm not sure I believe it,"
he said. "I've had a wonderful relationship with Ricky and believe
he's a special human being. I would lean towards this being a false
positive. At this point it's only a rumour. I hope it's the type of
rumour that never materializes into fact."

Williams' latest alleged test failure was first reported yesterday by
ESPN, citing an informed source. The source said Williams tested
positive for marijuana in April. The doctors who oversee his
rehabilitation program have notified commissioner Roger Goodell and
recommended he not be allowed to apply for reinstatement until
September. He was eligible for reinstatement this month.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had no comment. The Dolphins
also remained silent on the matter.

Williams still owes the Dolphins $8.6 million (U.S.) for breaching his
contract when he sat out the 2004 season.

Williams' agent Leigh Steinberg did not immediately return phone
calls.

While he arrived in Toronto last year in a highly charged atmosphere,
Williams was not the expected sensation on the field.

He broke his left arm in the fourth game of the season and, coupled
with a Achilles tendon injury suffered while he was out of action, he
missed eight games. He finished with 526 yards on 109 carries and two
touchdowns.

After bidding Toronto farewell last November, Williams went to Grass
Valley, Calif., with girlfriend Kristin Barnes and their two children
to live and teach at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm.

He told the San Francisco Chronicle during an interview in March that
when he realized he could find clarity to his life through yoga, he
gave up smoking marijuana.

"Because it was a habit of mine for a couple of years, the thought (of
smoking) does come back into my mind," he told the Chronicle.

"Fortunately for me, the thought that comes right behind it is there
is a better way."

But it would appear Williams has lost his way again.

Unless, as Pelley hopes, the test proves to be a false positive.
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MAP posted-by: Derek