Ricky Williams should not be in Miami Dolphins RoH

Over the last few days on social media outlet Twitter, the debated topic was whether or not former Miami Dolphins runner Ricky Williams should be on the Ring of Honor.

The topic was highly debated from FiveReasonsports, with parties on both sides of the fence pleading their case. It is a legitimate question in reality. Should Ricky Williams by on the Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor?

The easy answer, no. And neither should Reshad Jones.

Ricky Williams is the 2nd leading rusher in Miami Dolphins history which is an incredible feat considering his long absence due to retirement and league imposed suspensions. When he was on the field, he was amazing and arguably the Dolphins best pure runner in franchise history.

That argument makes sense if you are trying to get his name up in the rafters but there is another side to the statistics and amazing ability from the running back and it is not the marijuana he regularly used.

When it comes down to putting all-time greats up on the “Ring”, you have to ask yourself if that player gave their all for the team. Is that player a role model that exists because of their contributions and the legacy they left behind? Is there a positive mark left on the franchise that is not easily forgotten?

The answer is yes, and no.

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Williams checks all the boxes on the field but off the field he can’t check any of them. The argument could be that off-field situations shouldn’t really be a factor but in Williams’ case the off-field issues kept him off the field.

Williams was suspended twice and quit on his team days before the start of the season because he would rather smoke pot than play football with a clean test. Williams chose to leave his teammates behind so he could do what he wanted. There is nothing wrong with looking out for your own interests but the names that are on the Ring are players that gave their all for team and teammates. That isn’t Ricky Williams.

Adding Williams to the Ring of Honor or even the Walk of Fame would bring a lot of controversy to a team that really doesn’t need more of it. Williams quit on his teammates and he quit on his team. That is not something that should ever be rewarded. That is not the message to send to anyone.

Reshad Jones is similar. His name was brought up too in the debate. Was quitting one game on his teammates enough to warrant keeping him off the RoH at some point way down the road? I tend to agree with those that argued it should keep him off. To me there is no debate. Frankly, it would be hard to see Jones up there because while he is a very good safety, I don’t consider him remotely elite, although Jones would argue differently.

Jones has had an up and down career with more up than down but even at his best, he wasn’t consistently great and that to me is more a reason to keep him off than to put him on. Add the quitting matrix into the equation and I’m certain I would not add him.

EDITORS NOTE: One of our commenters, Rich McQuillen brought up a very valid point that I had not considered and will be thinking about moving forward. After Williams quit, and served his suspensions, he came back to Miami and played three seasons without issue. Should that be enough to redeem the off-field issues or is his legacy still a guy with tremendous talent that left his team? The entire debate about him was never going to be an easy one but the point made is a very good one that should be considered. Is it enough to change my mind on the issue? Not immediately but it is one that I think should be given consideration regardless of whether it would change my mind.