DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Ricky Williams has quickly become a very popular figure within the Miami Dolphins organization, despite only recently un-retiring from the NFL.
"Let's just say everyone is happy I'm back," Williams said.
When asked to elaborate on that statement, the smiling running back put his thumb and index finger together and raised them to his mouth.
"Ricky's return has really boosted us as a team," wide receiver Chris Chambers said. "He's always there with a big bag of love and support when we need it. He's high on life."
Sources within the clubhouse say Williams frequently participates in team outings to local restaurants. The last time Williams and company were seen at a local establishment, the fire department was called. But upon further investigation, Chief Bud Weeding said that while smoke was present, no fire was found.
"He always seems to be laidback and goofy," Dolphins head coach Nick Saban said. "One day I asked him why his eyes were red, and he said it was just allergies acting up. I asked him what he was allergic to? Oregano?"
Miami is confident Williams will help their team this upcoming season. Even though he is 20 pounds under his 2003 playing weight, Williams suggests he can help the team in other ways.
"I'm a great cook. The guys are always wanting to come over to my place so I can make them my special brownies. Hell, maybe if we need some extra help during a given week against a really tough team, I can make THEM some of my brownies, just to keep them relaxed and not so focused," Williams said.
"Ricky is always looking out for the us," tight end Randy McMichael explained. "When I'm not busy beating my wife, he and I go out and just take it easy. After this latest incident between me and her, Ricky actually convinced me that it was all her fault. The bitch deserved to get choked. Of course, we were both pretty stoned at that point ... I mean stoked at that point ... you know, about the new season?"
Despite others questioning his motives for returning to the NFL after a year-long absence, Williams claims it is not all about the bling-bling.
"Hey, we all got to live, right?" Williams said. "Money is a part of life. Without it, how am I supposed to enjoy my hobbies? I sure ain't bowling like Jerome Bettis. My hobbies cost money."
Williams is confident that fans will start to view him in a new light once the season starts. While he must serve a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the running back has no doubts about returning to the game of football.
"Football has afforded me some great things. I live in a million-dollar home that sits on 56 acres of prime farmland. I love to farm, and football has given me the ability to do what I love," Williams said.
And what type of crop does Williams cultivate?
"It comes from a seed and rhymes with Rasheed," Williams said.
