Ricky Williams Retires

Wow! This came as a shock but it wasn't surprising.

Williams has always been different. What other "macho" NFL player would have appeared on the cover of ESPN the Magazine in a wedding dress? What other player can you name wore his helmet during interviews? Off season pursuits - how about photography and touring with Lenny Kravitz? Williams has always been different.

This move definitely hurts the Dolphins but in the end it is probably a blessing in disguise. The Dolphins are primarily a defensive team and their running game helped them with ball and clock control but it honestly didn't put tons of points on the board. Miami has some good receivers and this will nudge the offense to pass more. The subtraction of Williams should also help team chemistry. What good would it do for Miami to have a player who really didn't want to be there on the roster?

Williams retirement seems destined to become a textbook example of Bill Simmons Ewing Theory.

There will be a backlash from Williams decision. I'm glad he's putting his home in South Beach up for sale because hell hath no fury as a football fanatic who feels betrayed. I don't feel bad for the Miami fans but there is a glimmer of sympathy for any fantasy football players who already had their draft and used a high pick on Williams.

Part of the backlash, I predict, will be for stories about Williams being gay to surface.

I have heard unsubstantiated rumors of Williams being gay for a couple of years but I always put them into the misunderstood category along the lines of "Les Nessman is a queer fellow" from an episode of the great WKRP in Cincinnati. Williams is single and different and in many people's minds that equals gay. Social anxiety disorder? - "he must be gay". Wedding dress on the cover of ESPN the Magazine? - "he must be gay". Retire from the macho world of pro football at 27? - "he must be gay". The Internet will be ablaze in innuendo and print journalism will sadly soon follow.

For every action - there is an equal reaction. Williams shocking announcement of retirement will be met will an equally shocking reaction from people looking to explain his decision and part of that reaction will be to label him as "gay". (Please note that I'm just predicting the reaction here - not making any editorial comments about gay athletes or even about Ricky Williams' sexual preference.)

Williams isn't following in the footsteps of Garbo. He doesn't want to be alone. He just doesn't want to play football. He isn't following in the footsteps of Robert Smith who wanted to quit before his body took a debilitating beating.  He just doesn't want to play football. He isn't following in the footsteps of Jim Brown who walked away to pursue an acting career. He just doesn't want to play football.

That's enough of an explanation for me but mark my words it won't be enough for most people.

(OK - now the editorial comment: please, please don't use the analogy that Williams is putting aside childish things and quitting playing "games" to pursue something more adult. The NFL world is an adult world of business just like any other pro sport. This business has made Williams a multi-millionaire. Don't say that he is putting aside games to pursue serious career choices when he's just going to use the money he made from the NFL to travel the world as an amateur photographer. The NFL as "games" is insulting to all the players and coaches who treat it for what it is - a profession.)