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CFL interested in Ricky, but Dolphins will have final say
The Toronto Argonauts contacted the agent for suspended running back Ricky Williams to gauge the player's interest.
BY JASON COLE AND ARMANDO SALGUERO
jcole@MiamiHerald.com
ELIOT J. SCHECHTER / GETTY IMAGES
HEADING NORTH? Suspended Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has drawn interest by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
But if Williams hopes to play north of the border, he will need permission from the Dolphins.
The Dolphins on Thursday clarified information they game to the media a day earlier, saying Williams can indeed play in the CFL. However, under the NFL's standard player contract, he must first gain permission.
Agent Leigh Steinberg said Thursday he received a call from Toronto Argonauts assistant general manager Greg Mohns about the possibility of Williams playing. Steinberg said he will talk with Williams, and said any discussions would include the Dolphins.
''[Mohns] inquired into Ricky's interest in playing for a year while on suspension,'' said Steinberg, who later spoke with Dolphins president Bryan Wiedmeier. ``I left a message with Ricky, but I haven't had a chance to discuss it with him.''
Steinberg said he would discuss this relatively soon with Williams, but gave no indication of what might happen. Under CFL rules, players can't earn more than $150,000 in a season. Training camp for the Argonauts opens May 21, he said.
Williams was suspended Tuesday for a minimum of one season for a fourth violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Despite that, he still is subject to rules of his contract.
The ''other activities'' paragraph of the contract reads as such: ``Without prior written consent of the club, player will not play football or engage in activities related to football otherwise than for club or engage in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.''
Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said the team has not been approached by Williams to seek permission.
''Ricky is under contract to the Dolphins and we're not going to speculate on any hypothetical situations,'' Greene said.
The Toronto Argonauts contacted the agent for suspended running back Ricky Williams to gauge the player's interest.
BY JASON COLE AND ARMANDO SALGUERO
jcole@MiamiHerald.com
ELIOT J. SCHECHTER / GETTY IMAGES
HEADING NORTH? Suspended Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has drawn interest by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
- Rushing to Ricky's defense
- From own private Idaho to Fins' GM
- Armando Salguero's blog | Oh Canada? Say it won't happen, Ricky
But if Williams hopes to play north of the border, he will need permission from the Dolphins.
The Dolphins on Thursday clarified information they game to the media a day earlier, saying Williams can indeed play in the CFL. However, under the NFL's standard player contract, he must first gain permission.
Agent Leigh Steinberg said Thursday he received a call from Toronto Argonauts assistant general manager Greg Mohns about the possibility of Williams playing. Steinberg said he will talk with Williams, and said any discussions would include the Dolphins.
''[Mohns] inquired into Ricky's interest in playing for a year while on suspension,'' said Steinberg, who later spoke with Dolphins president Bryan Wiedmeier. ``I left a message with Ricky, but I haven't had a chance to discuss it with him.''
Steinberg said he would discuss this relatively soon with Williams, but gave no indication of what might happen. Under CFL rules, players can't earn more than $150,000 in a season. Training camp for the Argonauts opens May 21, he said.
Williams was suspended Tuesday for a minimum of one season for a fourth violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Despite that, he still is subject to rules of his contract.
The ''other activities'' paragraph of the contract reads as such: ``Without prior written consent of the club, player will not play football or engage in activities related to football otherwise than for club or engage in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.''
Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said the team has not been approached by Williams to seek permission.
''Ricky is under contract to the Dolphins and we're not going to speculate on any hypothetical situations,'' Greene said.
