http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1895704
Ricky Williams has sent a letter to the National Football League, requesting a hearing for the purpose of clarifying his eligibility to return to playing status with the Miami Dolphins this season, sources have told ESPN's Hank Goldberg.
An NFL spokesman confirmed Tuesday that the league has received such a letter from Williams, but declined comment on the matter. The sources said the league received the letter earlier this week and has yet to act on it, and no tible for a hearing has been set.
When contacted, a spokesman for the NFL declined comment.
An arbitrator ruled last month that Williams owes the Dolphins $8.6 million for violating the terms of his contract after his abrupt retirement just before training camp in July.
"This is an issue between the player, his representative, and the league," Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement. "Accordingly, we don't have a comment on the matter."
When he retired, Williams was facing a four-game suspension for violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy, his third such violation as a pro. After he announced his retirement, Williams officially advised the league that he was retiring so that he no longer was subject to random drug tests from the league. In doing so, the league requires that he remain retired for at least a year. Returning before a year counts as a positive test in the league's substance-abuse policy. A return in less than a year theoretically would be Williams' fourth violation of the substance abuse policy, which would mean an indefinite suspension -- usually a minimum of one year.
Williams is trying to get a hearing to clarify his eligibility to play again.
To retain his rights and potential trade value, the Dolphins would have to take Williams back if he decided to unretire. They could release him, which would make him a free agent.
The Dolphins would not have to pay Williams for any time during which he was suspended.
Ricky Williams has sent a letter to the National Football League, requesting a hearing for the purpose of clarifying his eligibility to return to playing status with the Miami Dolphins this season, sources have told ESPN's Hank Goldberg.
An NFL spokesman confirmed Tuesday that the league has received such a letter from Williams, but declined comment on the matter. The sources said the league received the letter earlier this week and has yet to act on it, and no tible for a hearing has been set.
When contacted, a spokesman for the NFL declined comment.
An arbitrator ruled last month that Williams owes the Dolphins $8.6 million for violating the terms of his contract after his abrupt retirement just before training camp in July.
"This is an issue between the player, his representative, and the league," Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement. "Accordingly, we don't have a comment on the matter."
When he retired, Williams was facing a four-game suspension for violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy, his third such violation as a pro. After he announced his retirement, Williams officially advised the league that he was retiring so that he no longer was subject to random drug tests from the league. In doing so, the league requires that he remain retired for at least a year. Returning before a year counts as a positive test in the league's substance-abuse policy. A return in less than a year theoretically would be Williams' fourth violation of the substance abuse policy, which would mean an indefinite suspension -- usually a minimum of one year.
Williams is trying to get a hearing to clarify his eligibility to play again.
To retain his rights and potential trade value, the Dolphins would have to take Williams back if he decided to unretire. They could release him, which would make him a free agent.
The Dolphins would not have to pay Williams for any time during which he was suspended.
