Ricky Misses Drug Test, Faces 1-Year Ban

Any trade talk involving Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams came to a screeching halt Monday. According to numerous published reports, Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is facing suspension from the NFL after missing a drug test, which is equivalent to testing positive for drug use under the league's substance abuse policy. Having previously tested positive three times, Williams is likely to be suspended for the entire 2006 season unless he successfully appeals any penalty handed down by the league office. So at this point, obviously, the former Heisman Trophy winner's market value is slightly better than that of a one-legged kicker.

Sandra Williams, Ricky's mother, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that her son is in India studying yoga. And, according to ESPN Radio, he claims his cell phone wasn't working from his location, so the NFL had no way of contacting him to inform him of the test. If true, there is a chance he could successfully appeal this one.

Williams shocked the football world by announcing his retirement from the NFL just weeks before the 2004 season. Prior to the 2005 season, he decided to play again and returned to the Dolphins after serving a four-game suspension for the second and third substance-abuse violations of his career.