Ricky Williams informs the Ravens of his retirement
Baltimore Ravens running back Ricky Williams has informed the Ravens of his retirement, according to multiple reports. Williams won the Heisman award in 1998, and was fifth-overall draft pick in the 1999 draft, selected by the New Orleans Saints.
The Ravens signed Williams to a two-year deal worth $2.5 million on August 8th, 2011. Williams will be 35 years old at the beginning of training camp in 2012, which is ancient for an NFL running back.
Williams spent one season with the Ravens, he had two rushing touchdowns for the Ravens in the 2011 season as Ray Rice’s backup. More importantly Williams averaged 4.1 yards per carry and 444 total rushing yards for the Ravens.
Williams ended his career with 10,009 rushing yards and 66 career rushing touchdowns. He was known as a power running back throughout his long career.
This is not Williams first retirement, in 2004 while with the Miami Dolphins Williams retired after failing a drug test.
Here is ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s tweet confirming the retirement.
One of the great runs in the NFL has come to an end: Ravens running back Ricky Williams plans to retire.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2012
Here is the Ravens press release on the retirement.
RB Ricky Williams announced Tuesday that he is retiring from the NFL.
Williams, 34, recently completed his 11th NFL season and first with the Baltimore Ravens. He appeared in 147 career games (83 starts), posting 2,431 carries for 10,009 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns. The 5-10, 230-pounder added 342 receptions for 2,606 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during his career. Williams amassed five 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
“The NFL has been an amazing page in this chapter of my life,” Williams said. “I pray that all successive adventures offer me the same potential for growth, success and most importantly, fun. I want to thank all my fans, teammates, coaches and supporters for the strength they’ve given me to overcome so much. I want to especially thank my family, coach Mack Brown, coach [Mike] Ditka, coach [Bill] Parcells, Ronnie Brown, Wilbert Montgomery and the Jamail Family for believing in me. As for what’s next, I am excited about all the opportunities ahead – continuing my education, running The Ricky Williams Foundation and whatever other opportunities present themselves.
“My football career has been filled with many great memories going back to pee wee football with coach Tom Miller, [San Diego’s] Patrick Henry High School and coach Jerry Varner and on to the University of Texas. It has been a big part of my life and blessed me with so many wonderful opportunities and the chance to connect with many people who have helped me grow and mature. I will miss the game, the camaraderie, my teammates and especially the emotions of a big victory. I love the game and leave it feeling fulfilled, proud, in great health and excited about the future.
“I have to thank coach [John] Harbaugh and the Ravens organization for the opportunity they gave me this year. I had so much fun and really appreciated the chance to finish on such a great note.”
Williams, who served as the Ravens’ primary backup running back in 2011, finished the year with 108 carries for 444 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In the regular season finale at Cincinnati, he became just the 26th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 career yards.
“I was a big fan of Ricky before we were teammates, but being around him this year is the best thing that happened to me in my NFL career,” Ravens RB Ray Rice stated. “As a young player, you need to be around a guy who knows what he is doing, and Ricky was tremendous to learn from. The way he took care of his body and the way he prepared, he always showed that he is a true professional. This past season with him is a year I will never forget. I had the best year with him beside me, and that was no accident. I believe that Ricky Williams is a Hall of Famer. All that he has done in his career, he deserves that. I was honored to share the field with him when he went over 10,000 yards. What an amazing accomplishment, as he is one of the best. I will miss him, but I wish him and his family well.”
Prior to joining Baltimore, Williams spent seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2002-03, 2005, 2007-10). He finished his Dolphins career ranking second in franchise history in both rushing yards (6,436) and rushing touchdowns (48).
His most productive season came in 2002 when he won the NFL rushing title with 1,853 yards and finished with a Miami single-season franchise-record 16 rushing touchdowns. His 24 100-yard performances are also a Dolphins’ career record.
“Ricky is one of the most productive rushers in league history, and he was a tremendous asset to our team this past season,” Ravens general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome stated. “We enjoyed having him as a member of the Ravens, as his leadership, work ethic and commitment contributed to our success. We are grateful for his contributions, and we wish him nothing but the best going forward.”
“Ricky, in his time here, made a valuable and lasting contribution,” Harbaugh added. “I especially enjoyed getting to know him as a person, and I have the utmost respect for him. He was great to be around and to work with every single day. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
A 2002 Pro Bowler, Williams was selected by New Orleans in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. He spent his first three seasons with the Saints, eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing mark in both 2000 and 2001, before being traded to Miami. He also spent one season with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts (2006) and did not play football in 2004.
Williams, who played collegiately at Texas, was the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner. During his career with the Longhorns, he set 44 school records and holds or shares 20 NCAA rushing records. He is currently second all time in NCAA history with 6,279 rushing yards (Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne – 6,397).
RICKY WILLIAMS CAREER STATS
RUSHING RECEIVING Year Team GP
GS
No.
Yds.
Avg.
LG
TD
No.
Yds.
Avg.
LG
TD
1999 New Orleans 12
12
253
884
3.5
25
2
28
172
6.1
29
0
2000 New Orleans 10
10
248
1,000
4.0
26t
8
44
409
9.3
24
1
2001 New Orleans 16
16
313
1,245
4.0
46
6
60
511
8.5
42
1
2002 Miami 16
16
383
1,853
4.8
63t
16
47
363
7.7
52
1
2003 Miami 16
16
392
1,372
3.5
45
9
50
351
7.0
59
1
2004 Miami RESERVE/RETIRED
2005 Miami 12
3
168
743
4.4
35
6
17
93
5.5
19
0
2006 Toronto (CFL) PLAYED IN THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
2007 Miami 1
0
6
15
2.5
6
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
2008 Miami 16
3
160
659
4.1
51t
4
29
219
7.6
47
1
2009 Miami 16
7
241
1,121
4.7
68t
11
35
264
7.5
59
2
2010 Miami 16
0
159
673
4.2
45t
2
19
141
7.4
28t
1
2011 Baltimore 16
0
108
444
4.1
28
2
13
83
6.4
12
0
Totals 147
83
2,431
10,009
4.1
68t
66
342
2,606
7.6
59
8
POSTSEASON STATS
RUSHING RECEIVING Year Team GP
GS
No.
Yds.
Avg.
LG
TD
No.
Yds.
Avg.
LG
TD
2000 New Orleans 1
0
6
14
2.3
7
0
1
2
2.0
2
0
2008 Miami 1
0
4
17
4.3
7
0
1
8
8.0
8
0
2011 Baltimore 2
0
12
49
4.1
9
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
Totals 4
0
22
80
3.6
9
0
2
10
5.0
8
0
