Williams' decision no surprise

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Remember when we thought running back Ricky Williams was curiously "different" for actually following through on a promise to play in the Hula Bowl?

Back then, in 1999, it was deemed highly remarkable for a Heisman Trophy winner, who was already assured of being a first-round draft choice and multi-millionaire, not only to risk limb and riches by showing up for the all-star game, but to care enough who won the thing to tote the ball 22 times.

But that was Williams. And, if people thought he marched to a different drummer then, they were sure he had his own percussion section when, in short order, he took on rapper Master P as his agent, a wrinkle that probably kept him from being the No. 1 overall pick, and posed for a magazine cover in a wedding gown.

So, despite the sky-is-falling hysteria prevalent in south Florida, should we really be all that surprised that he has called an audible on a career of just five seasons and bolted the stunned Miami Dolphins for parts unknown? Should we scratch our heads that he says he's hanging it up lock, stock and jock at age 27?

It is hardly the end of the world, unless of course, you are a Dolphins fan with huge expectations or coach Dave Wannstedt, who is charged with finally delivering on them.

The search for running room to the end zone has been replaced, in Williams' words to the Miami Herald, by "the search for the truth." That and maybe finding a better masking agent for those pesky pakalolo tests.

For all the ground Williams covered in four 1,000-yard seasons in the NFL, he's easily surpassed that in his brief journey of self-discovery. In the past week, with time out to phone in his retirement from here, we're told Williams has been to the Bahamas, Hawai'i, Tokyo, Los Angeles ...

Not since somebody named O.J. was sprinting through lobbies for Hertz, has an NFL running back covered as many airports in such a short span of time. Where the search ends — Tierra del Fuego, Saskatoon, Addis Ababa or a mountain top near Kathmandu — is anybody's guess.

Ideally, of course, for the sake of his former teammates and fans, Williams would have had his moment of clarity before the April NFL draft when the Dolphins could have drafted another running back or had a better opportunity to swing a trade.

Fear not NFL fans in other cities. Williams' example is unlikely to start a locker room stampede of others seeking self-enlightenment.

So, wish Williams luck in his search for an epiphany because, if genuine, it is uncommon enough in professional sports, where pursuit of the dollar is usually all consuming. How often does someone in the prime of his career walk away from an opportunity to earn up to $6 million a year?

Except, of course, unless he is holding out for a $7 million-a-year contract.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.