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Ricky's hearing discussion (1 Viewer)

An NFL source indicated Tuesday that a decision on the appeal could come as early as next week, which would be well before the annual draft April 29-30. Once Pash makes a decision, he will pass on a recommendation to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
That's big news.
 
What the hell is taking so long? You either beleive him or you dont. Get on with it.
They had to wait for their samples of this "Herb" to arrive so they can see if it produces some sort of high, or if its only use is to add to a bowl of soup...
 
the truth here is that ricky's rights were violated when the doosh in denver leaked the news. Now the NFL is in a jam:

1) Suspend RW and get sued for the confidentiality breech (and lose)

2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs

The correct "spin" is needed here to avoid a lawsuit or to lose face with the public. Should be interesting to see the outcome.

 
the truth here is that ricky's rights were violated when the doosh in denver leaked the news. Now the NFL is in a jam:

1) Suspend RW and get sued for the confidentiality breech (and lose)

2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs

The correct "spin" is needed here to avoid a lawsuit or to lose face with the public. Should be interesting to see the outcome.
I dont think that was the stance of the defense.Realisticly, Ricky could sue for confidentiality breech no matter the outcome of his appeal. So the NFL isnt likely going to not suspend him to avoid a lawsuit. They'd have to come to some sort of agreement with Ricky in order to ensure that he wont sue anyway. If they initiated such an agreement, they are admitting guilt beforehand.

I too thought there was a chance he could get off purely on breech of confidentiality. Yet if the defense didnt use it in their appeal, there really isnt much chance of that happening. Its up to the defense to make it a part of their case. Maybe they did bring it up, but we havent heard about it.

 
the truth here is that ricky's rights were violated when the doosh in denver leaked the news.  Now the NFL is in a jam:

1) Suspend RW and get sued for the confidentiality breech (and lose)

2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs

The correct "spin" is needed here to avoid a lawsuit or to lose face with the public.  Should be interesting to see the outcome.
I dont think that was the stance of the defense.Realisticly, Ricky could sue for confidentiality breech no matter the outcome of his appeal. So the NFL isnt likely going to not suspend him to avoid a lawsuit. They'd have to come to some sort of agreement with Ricky in order to ensure that he wont sue anyway. If they initiated such an agreement, they are admitting guilt beforehand.

I too thought there was a chance he could get off purely on breech of confidentiality. Yet if the defense didnt use it in their appeal, there really isnt much chance of that happening. Its up to the defense to make it a part of their case. Maybe they did bring it up, but we havent heard about it.
Harder to show damages resulting from the breach if there is no suspension.
 
the truth here is that ricky's rights were violated when the doosh in denver leaked the news.  Now the NFL is in a jam:

1) Suspend RW and get sued for the confidentiality breech (and lose)

2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs

The correct "spin" is needed here to avoid a lawsuit or to lose face with the public.  Should be interesting to see the outcome.
I dont think that was the stance of the defense.Realisticly, Ricky could sue for confidentiality breech no matter the outcome of his appeal. So the NFL isnt likely going to not suspend him to avoid a lawsuit. They'd have to come to some sort of agreement with Ricky in order to ensure that he wont sue anyway. If they initiated such an agreement, they are admitting guilt beforehand.

I too thought there was a chance he could get off purely on breech of confidentiality. Yet if the defense didnt use it in their appeal, there really isnt much chance of that happening. Its up to the defense to make it a part of their case. Maybe they did bring it up, but we havent heard about it.
Harder to show damages resulting from the breach if there is no suspension.
they could suspend the denver Doc from work or fine him and we'd never know.
 
Harder to show damages resulting from the breach if there is no suspension.
Damages of a confidentiality breech would be for defamation, not for being suspended. The suspension is the result of a failed drug test which is still a failed drug test even though confidentiality was breeched. Win or lose, Ricky has suffered defamation as a result of the media stir created by the confidentiality breech. So they are practically seperate issues. The only reason I thought Ricky might be able to get off due to the breech is due to the agreement in writing regarding the drug program between the NFL and the NFLPA. However if there was something in that agreement that would allow Ricky to avoid suspension due to the confidentiality breech, the defense would take that up in their appeal. If the defense didnt use it in their defense, that indicates that the confidentiality part of the agreement doesnt affect the test results and disciplinary actions.
 
Harder to show damages resulting from the breach if there is no suspension.
Damages of a confidentiality breech would be for defamation, not for being suspended. The suspension is the result of a failed drug test which is still a failed drug test even though confidentiality was breeched. Win or lose, Ricky has suffered defamation as a result of the media stir created by the confidentiality breech. So they are practically seperate issues. The only reason I thought Ricky might be able to get off due to the breech is due to the agreement in writing regarding the drug program between the NFL and the NFLPA. However if there was something in that agreement that would allow Ricky to avoid suspension due to the confidentiality breech, the defense would take that up in their appeal. If the defense didnt use it in their defense, that indicates that the confidentiality part of the agreement doesnt affect the test results and disciplinary actions.
Wouldn't suspending Ricky actually reduce the chances of a defamation lawsuit? If Ricky isn't suspended, he can sue on the basis that his character was damaged. If he is suspended though, it would be harder to prove damages since the public would have become aware of the failed test anyway. It ain't slander if it's true.
 
Wouldn't suspending Ricky actually reduce the chances of a defamation lawsuit? If Ricky isn't suspended, he can sue on the basis that his character was damaged. If he is suspended though, it would be harder to prove damages since the public would have become aware of the failed test anyway. It ain't slander if it's true.
Possibly. I had thought of that but wasnt trying to go there with this discussion. I think he could still sue for defamation, but the damages might not be considered as high.
 
Wouldn't suspending Ricky actually reduce the chances of a defamation lawsuit? If Ricky isn't suspended, he can sue on the basis that his character was damaged. If he is suspended though, it would be harder to prove damages since the public would have become aware of the failed test anyway. It ain't slander if it's true.
Possibly. I had thought of that but wasnt trying to go there with this discussion. I think he could still sue for defamation, but the damages might not be considered as high.
Defamation requires that the statement made be not true and/or made with malicious intent depending on the jurisdiction. What happens in the hearing will have absolutely no bearing on any lawsuit as the decision by a civil organization is not relevant or admissible.
 
what happens in the doctor world if a doc breeches patient/doc confidentiality?
The Doctor's licensing board would likely discipline him and it would be a HIPPA violation which is a violation of federal law.I don't know of any common-law or other stautory remedie that you could sue the doctor for, however.

Of course I'm not in Med Mal either, I do Criminal.

 
One has to wonder what is taking so long with this appeal. If it was a clear case against Ricky then it seems like we would have heard something by now. Apparently there is enough doubt here to keep this issue open for so long.

 
the truth here is that ricky's rights were violated when the doosh in denver leaked the news. Now the NFL is in a jam:

1) Suspend RW and get sued for the confidentiality breech (and lose)

2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs

The correct "spin" is needed here to avoid a lawsuit or to lose face with the public. Should be interesting to see the outcome.
would the NFL get sued,or would the source of the leak get sued, i.e, Denver Broncos?
 
One has to wonder what is taking so long with this appeal. If it was a clear case against Ricky then it seems like we would have heard something by now. Apparently there is enough doubt here to keep this issue open for so long.
I agree - too easy to find against him - I think he may walk!
 
2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs
Has there been any official word as to what the substance is, for which Ricky has tested positive?
 
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Defamation requires that the statement made be not true and/or made with malicious intent depending on the jurisdiction. What happens in the hearing will have absolutely no bearing on any lawsuit as the decision by a civil organization is not relevant or admissible.
Good, we needed a lawyer for that one. In Ricky's case, any defamation is actually coming from the media. However that media was a result of the confidentiality breech made by NFL employees. So at least part of the liability should rest on the NFL.
 
it's just easier to suspend the 3-time loser than it is to deal with all the other stuff.obviously,he took something that was banned ,whether benign or not, that's why the urine test failed.

going by his history of repeating offenses, he doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt any more.. 4 strikes you're out!! I wouldn't trust anything he said at the hearing..he's lied and cheated 3 times already..he 'claims' he took a medicinal herb or whatever..sounds to me like he's talking out of his ####..

stupid is as stupid does. throw him under the bus already! he has zero credibility for anything he says.

 
it's just easier to suspend the 3-time loser than it is to deal with all the other stuff.obviously,he took something that was banned ,whether benign or not, that's why the urine test failed.

going by his history of repeating offenses, he doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt any more.. 4 strikes you're out!! I wouldn't trust anything he said at the hearing..he's lied and cheated 3 times already..he 'claims' he took a medicinal herb or whatever..sounds to me like he's talking out of his ####..

stupid is as stupid does. throw him under the bus already! he has zero credibility for anything he says.
Saying Ricky is a cheater or lier is probably going a little to far. I do believe that RW has already had three chances (and blown each one). If anything, RW is guilty of either apathy towards the drug policy or he is just stupid. Neither are excusable.
 
One big difference with this instance is Ricky admitted he used pot on all of his other failed tests. In this case he hasn't admitted to using anything. His honesty on the other failed tests has to hold some weight. I think he is clean and hopefully he gets to play.

 
2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs
Has there been any official word as to what the substance is, for which Ricky has tested positive?
Doesnt make a difference .If it s a banned substance then it s illegal and he should be suspended.

Unfortunately that s what should be decided.

It s like saying that you got fired because you were late too often and when you find another job you make sure your on time but instead you dont do your work right you will get fired again dont worry . same thing

He did nt smoke pot but he used another banned substance so he should be suspended again not a doubt .

 
2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs
Has there been any official word as to what the substance is, for which Ricky has tested positive?
Doesnt make a difference .
So it makes no difference that he had no intention of breaking the rules. Hardly sounds fair. If Ricky loses his appeal, I think he should retire. It will be the leagues’ loss.
 
So it makes no difference that he had no intention of breaking the rules. Hardly sounds fair.  If Ricky loses his appeal, I think he should retire.  It will be the leagues’ loss.
Statutory rape, DWI, Sex Offender registry, weapons violations... none of these require any intent to break the rules... lots of things are "unfair" in this regard. Ricky, of course, was fully on notice that he had to watch every single substance that entered his body in order to have the privilege of continuing to play in the NFL and make more money then he could possibly make in any other way.

Fair? Its plenty fair. It was fair when he failed the other three tests. It was way more then fair when he got special dispensations from the NFL that allowed him to only be suspended for 4 games on his original 3rd strike. It was also fair when he signed a crappy contract with a rap-star for an agent and ended up getting hosed down the road for it.

This guy has made nothing but bad decisions since he posed in a wedding dress on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Now he seems like a nice enough guy in front of the cameras, but that doesn't change the fact that its no one's fault by Ricky's that he is where he is now.

And it will be Ricky's loss, not the NFL's loss. The NFL won't even feel the bump as it rolls right over this. The thousands he owes in child support to the children he's fathered by various mothers will be hard to make as a yoga instructor. And just so you know, something that is unfair is those payments likely won't be reduced because of his loss in salary... Its his fault the salary goes down, judges aren't going to let him out of the payments...

 
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So it makes no difference that he had no intention of breaking the rules. Hardly sounds fair.  If Ricky loses his appeal, I think he should retire.  It will be the leagues’ loss.
Statutory rape, DWI, Sex Offender registry, weapons violations... none of these require any intent to break the rules... lots of things are "unfair" in this regard.
The fact that you can equate the above offenses to mistakely ingesting a banned substance makes me :( .
 
So it makes no difference that he had no intention of breaking the rules. Hardly sounds fair.  If Ricky loses his appeal, I think he should retire.  It will be the leagues’ loss.
Statutory rape, DWI, Sex Offender registry, weapons violations... none of these require any intent to break the rules... lots of things are "unfair" in this regard.
What?
 
2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs
Has there been any official word as to what the substance is, for which Ricky has tested positive?
Doesnt make a difference .If it s a banned substance then it s illegal and he should be suspended.

Unfortunately that s what should be decided.

It s like saying that you got fired because you were late too often and when you find another job you make sure your on time but instead you dont do your work right you will get fired again dont worry . same thing

He did nt smoke pot but he used another banned substance so he should be suspended again not a doubt .
Do we know he tested positive for a banned substance ? or was it a failed test due to a false positive? There are many substances (lemon poppyseed bagels) that can cause a false positive. Link

In drug testing, a false positive is defined as a drug free sample falsely being reported as showing positive for drugs. This can occur for a number of reasons including: improper laboratory procedure, mixing up samples, incorrect paperwork and passive inhalation. But the most common cause of drug testing false positives are cross reactants. A cross reactant is a substance which because of its similar chemical structure to a drug or its metabolite can cause a false positive result.
 
2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs
Has there been any official word as to what the substance is, for which Ricky has tested positive?
Doesnt make a difference .If it s a banned substance then it s illegal and he should be suspended.

Unfortunately that s what should be decided.

It s like saying that you got fired because you were late too often and when you find another job you make sure your on time but instead you dont do your work right you will get fired again dont worry . same thing

He did nt smoke pot but he used another banned substance so he should be suspended again not a doubt .
Do we know he tested positive for a banned substance ? or was it a failed test due to a false positive? There are many substances (lemon poppyseed bagels) that can cause a false positive. Link

In drug testing, a false positive is defined as a drug free sample falsely being reported as showing positive for drugs. This can occur for a number of reasons including: improper laboratory procedure, mixing up samples, incorrect paperwork and passive inhalation. But the most common cause of drug testing false positives are cross reactants. A cross reactant is a substance which because of its similar chemical structure to a drug or its metabolite can cause a false positive result.
It was a banned substance. Was nt it publicised enough. They did nt say what substance but they said it was a banned one.
 
2) Overturn the suspension and look soft on drugs
Has there been any official word as to what the substance is, for which Ricky has tested positive?
Doesnt make a difference .
So it makes no difference that he had no intention of breaking the rules. Hardly sounds fair. If Ricky loses his appeal, I think he should retire. It will be the leagues’ loss.
It should make no difference.
 
So let's play the speculation game. Is no news good news for Ricky? Does a longer wait suggest that the league is wrestling with their decision? What do you think?

By the way, I traded Ricky yesterday. I got a fair offer and just couldn't take it anymore.

 
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I'm neutral on the no news thing. If it was a less prominent player, I'd say no news could be good news. With Ricky though, the NFL really needs to be thorough on this one before suspending him. I wouldnt weigh it either way. Also, I think its normal to take about a week. Its only been a little over that.

 
Defamation requires that the statement made be not true and/or made with malicious intent depending on the jurisdiction.  What happens in the hearing will have absolutely no bearing on any lawsuit as the decision by a civil organization is not relevant or admissible.
Good, we needed a lawyer for that one. In Ricky's case, any defamation is actually coming from the media. However that media was a result of the confidentiality breech made by NFL employees. So at least part of the liability should rest on the NFL.
I'm a lawyer, and I doubt he has any case at all for libel, slander, or defamation because the information leaked was true which is a defense to those claims. However, he probably has a claim for breach of contract, violation of the collective bargaining agreement, maybe breach of fiduciary duties, etc. So he probably doesn't need a defamation claim to sue.
 
BetUS.com Posts Odds On Ricky Williams NFL Future

Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 @ 1:16:17 PM

April 19th, New York – The NFL has no timetable to rule on an appeal by Ricky Williams regarding his positive drug test, that could result in the Miami running back's suspension for the 2006 season. Because the league doesn't acknowledge drug tests until there is a final determination speculation is building furiously as this would be Williams' fourth violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, meaning at least a one-year suspension.

With fans and NFL personnel seemingly in the dark with regard to what will happen to Ricky Williams, the largest most respected sportsbook on the web, BetUS.com weighed in to give a glimpse at what the troubled running back might be up to this season.

“Pending his appeal, Ricky Williams is not looking like a viable rusher for the Dolphins,” states BetUS spokesperson Matt Ross. “We would certainly welcome Ricky aboard BetUS.com should he want to escape media scrutiny and stay in the sports realm.”

Executives at BetUS.com.com issued the following odds:

Will Williams get positive drug test overturned?

Yes: 7/5

No: 1/2

What will happen to Ricky Williams next season?

Enter a Rehabilitation Center: 2/1

Joins World Football League playing for Amsterdam: 3/1

Joins the Canadian Football League: 5/2

He & T.O. start an independent ProFootball League: 20/1

Becomes an odds consultant for BetUS.com: 4/1

Files for Bankruptcy: 5/6

Becomes the abbot of a monastery: 100/1

Self proclaim the Antichrist: 75/1

Becomes the FBI Most Wanted Drug Dealer: 40/1

Devotes Life to the practice of Ayurveda*: 7/4

Odds can be found at: www.betus.com

###

BetUS.com (http://www.BetUS.com) is one of the oldest and most respected legal online sports betting organizations in the world and is licensed and bonded in two recognized gaming jurisdictions – Canada and Costa Rica. Employing over 500 people, BetUS.com provides a safe and secure place for sports wagering to more than 100,000 clients. Members can enjoy wagering on some of their favorite sports including: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and boxing. BetUS.com has been in operation for 12 years.
LINK
 
it's just easier to suspend the 3-time loser than it is to deal with all the other stuff.obviously,he took something that was banned ,whether benign or not, that's why the urine test failed.

going by his history of repeating offenses, he doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt any more.. 4 strikes you're out!! I wouldn't trust anything he said at the hearing..he's lied and cheated 3 times already..he 'claims' he took a medicinal herb or whatever..sounds to me like he's talking out of his ####..

stupid is as stupid does. throw him under the bus already! he has zero credibility for anything he says.
Saying Ricky is a cheater or lier is probably going a little to far. I do believe that RW has already had three chances (and blown each one). If anything, RW is guilty of either apathy towards the drug policy or he is just stupid. Neither are excusable.
Right, Ricky smokes weed. Big deal. He doesn't cheat or use steroids of anything. He isn't beating his wife/girlfirend, he isn't murdering people with his car, he isn't pooping in people's closet hamper, he isn't doing coke and winning super bowls, he isn't hiding in his trunk to kill his ex girlfriend, he isn't crying that he won't play football if the Chargers draft him, he isn't POOPING IN PEOPLE'S CLOSET HAMPER in the friggin HAMPER! Can't get over that last one......He just smoked some weed, give the guy a break.

 
it's just easier to suspend the 3-time loser than it is to deal with all the other stuff.obviously,he took something that was banned ,whether benign or not, that's why the urine test failed.

going by his history of repeating offenses, he doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt any more.. 4 strikes you're out!! I wouldn't trust anything he said at the hearing..he's lied and cheated 3 times already..he 'claims' he took a medicinal herb or whatever..sounds to me like he's talking out of his ####..

stupid is as stupid does. throw him under the bus already! he has zero credibility for anything he says.
Saying Ricky is a cheater or lier is probably going a little to far. I do believe that RW has already had three chances (and blown each one). If anything, RW is guilty of either apathy towards the drug policy or he is just stupid. Neither are excusable.
Right, Ricky smokes weed. Big deal. He doesn't cheat or use steroids of anything. He isn't beating his wife/girlfirend, he isn't murdering people with his car, he isn't pooping in people's closet hamper, he isn't doing coke and winning super bowls, he isn't hiding in his trunk to kill his ex girlfriend, he isn't crying that he won't play football if the Chargers draft him, he isn't POOPING IN PEOPLE'S CLOSET HAMPER in the friggin HAMPER! Can't get over that last one......He just smoked some weed, give the guy a break.
Which by last check is against the law and the rules in the NFL(and gets tested). So what break should he get again?

 
He probably shouldn't get a break, but there is a huge difference between someone who smokes weed and someone who beats his wife, threatens people with guns, is an accomplice to murder, or other serious felonies (like pooping in a closet. Why Davenport? Why???).

Ricky's a stoner, but he's not a bad person.

 
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Ricky's a stoner, but he's not a bad person.
He is an extremely talented running back. He's not a bad person, just different. Very Different.
This pretty much sums it up.
I have met him a couple of times and actually don't even think he is that different than a lot of us. He seemed like a really good guy whose goal in life is to be happy.
 
The Ricky watch enters day 11: will this be the day??? If only I had a magic 8 ball right now, I could figure this thing out for everyone!

 
Ricky's a stoner, but he's not a bad person.
He is an extremely talented running back. He's not a bad person, just different. Very Different.
This pretty much sums it up.
I have met him a couple of times and actually don't even think he is that different than a lot of us. He seemed like a really good guy whose goal in life is to be happy.
I've met him as well, totally nice guy. Also have friends that grew up with him in San Diego. He's a class act and anybody that says anything different doesn't know him, which is why those that do know him well are so adamently supporting him.Somebody should write a book about the angst white people have towards black athletes...it's so predictable and juvenile that it's comical.

The guy had a marijuana problem...big f'ing deal.

 
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Somebody should write a book about the angst white people have towards black athletes...it's so predictable and juvenile that it's comical.

The guy had a marijuana problem...big f'ing deal.
Amen, buddy. Ricky Williams doesn't deserve to be the object of ridicule he's become. If you listen to him without prejudice you'll realize pretty fast that he's a very bright guy with an interesting perspective. ANYWAY ...I agree with everything you said and, really, we don't even know if he has a marijuana problem anymore. And the "problem," as it were, is a hypocritical system than falsely differentiates between drugs. I'm not saying we should all light up, but the NFL takes in God knows how much beer advertising money every year and it's worse for you than weed.

 
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Somebody should write a book about the angst white people have towards black athletes...it's so predictable and juvenile that it's comical.

The guy had a marijuana problem...big f'ing deal.
Amen, buddy. Ricky Williams doesn't deserve to be the object of ridicule he's become. If you listen to him without prejudice you'll realize pretty fast that he's a very bright guy with an interesting perspective. ANYWAY ...I agree with everything you said and, really, we don't even know if he has a marijuana problem anymore. And the "problem," as it were, is a hypocritical system than falsely differentiates between drugs. I'm not saying we should all light up, but the NFL takes in God knows how much beer advertising money every year and it's worse for you than weed.
I don't care that he smokes weed, hell Randy Moss does it and it's fine with me. However, I hate what he did to the Dolphins to screw them over. That had more to do with Ricky's messed up head than the weed, so I don't blame the weed but Ricky's lack of interest in playing football. If he would have retired without leaving the Dolphins high and dry right before the season that would have been fine, but instead he screwed them over and then only came back to get paid. Now he's in trouble again and it's not even a big deal to him.
 
He probably shouldn't get a break, but there is a huge difference between someone who smokes weed and someone who beats his wife, threatens people with guns, is an accomplice to murder, or other serious felonies (like pooping in a closet. Why Davenport? Why???).

Ricky's a stoner, but he's not a bad person.
If you are going to totally rip off exactly what I said in the post above yours, atleast give me some credit for it or something..... :ph34r: This long of a wait......could be bad or good? Atleast they aren't rushing to judgement.

 

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