Former NFL running back Ricky Williams has come out and cleared the air as to why he decided to retire.
Williams was asked why he retired and said, “That’s not the question. ‘Why am I playing?’ That’s the question. If I could do anything in the world, and it’s doable, why wouldn’t I do that?”
Football really hasn’t been fun for Williams since he decided to retire back in 2004. He was forced to come back at the time because of financial obligations to the Dolphins.
“I have to keep 85 percent of who I really am under wraps to fit into that (football) model,” Ricky said. “It’s not fun for me. Even when I show an extra five percent, it pushes the envelope.”
It seems that exchanging text messages with former Dolphins executive Bill Parcells persuaded Williams to retire.
Parcells sent a text to Williams: “How you doing? I’m just checking up on you.”
“I had a great year,” Ricky texted back. “Body felt good. When I got to play, had a blast. Can’t wait till next year.”
Parcells then replied: “That’s good. Don’t chase this thing too long. You can contribute in other ways.”
After texting back and forth with Parcells it made him think about what he really wants to do with his life.
“It kind of opened my mind to allow the football part of myself to see the bigger picture,” said Williams.
Follow PFZ on Twitter @ProFootballZone