MIAMI Apr 26, 2006 (AP) With another long layoff looming, Ricky Williams is already looking ahead to his latest comeback. The Miami Dolphins running back faces a one-year suspension for his fourth violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, but said he plans to play again.
Williams' appeal of his latest failed drug test was rejected, the league announced Tuesday.
"I'm disappointed with the decision, but I respect it," Williams said in a statement released by the team. "I'm proud of my association with the National Football League and look forward to returning to the Dolphins in 2007."
Williams sat out the 2004 season after retiring shortly before training camp. He returned last year to play for new Miami coach Nick Saban.
If Williams does try to return next year, he'll be 30 years old and will have played a total of only 12 games in the previous three seasons.
"Ricky is obviously disappointed," said his agent, Leigh Steinberg. "He'll need to work hard to get back to the league in 2007."
Williams' previous positive drug tests were for marijuana, which he acknowledged using. The latest test apparently involved a substance other than marijuana and may have been related to his interest in holistic medicine.
Since his return last season, the NFL required Williams to undergo drug tests up to 10 times a month. He was in India studying yoga when news of his latest failed test surfaced in February.
Williams met with league counsel Jeff Pash on April 10 to appeal the result. He had been participating in the offseason training program at the Dolphins' complex, and he was there working out Tuesday shortly before league announced the rejection of his appeal.
Saban repeatedly praised Williams' conduct and performance last season and supported him in the appeal process.
"This is a league decision, and we are disappointed in what it means for Ricky and the team," Saban said in a statement. "Ricky did an outstanding job for the Dolphins, not only as a player but also what he added as a person to the team's chemistry and to our overall success."
Williams' appeal of his latest failed drug test was rejected, the league announced Tuesday.
"I'm disappointed with the decision, but I respect it," Williams said in a statement released by the team. "I'm proud of my association with the National Football League and look forward to returning to the Dolphins in 2007."
Williams sat out the 2004 season after retiring shortly before training camp. He returned last year to play for new Miami coach Nick Saban.
If Williams does try to return next year, he'll be 30 years old and will have played a total of only 12 games in the previous three seasons.
"Ricky is obviously disappointed," said his agent, Leigh Steinberg. "He'll need to work hard to get back to the league in 2007."
Williams' previous positive drug tests were for marijuana, which he acknowledged using. The latest test apparently involved a substance other than marijuana and may have been related to his interest in holistic medicine.
Since his return last season, the NFL required Williams to undergo drug tests up to 10 times a month. He was in India studying yoga when news of his latest failed test surfaced in February.
Williams met with league counsel Jeff Pash on April 10 to appeal the result. He had been participating in the offseason training program at the Dolphins' complex, and he was there working out Tuesday shortly before league announced the rejection of his appeal.
Saban repeatedly praised Williams' conduct and performance last season and supported him in the appeal process.
"This is a league decision, and we are disappointed in what it means for Ricky and the team," Saban said in a statement. "Ricky did an outstanding job for the Dolphins, not only as a player but also what he added as a person to the team's chemistry and to our overall success."
