Now clean-shaven and noticeably slimmer then when he last played football on Jan. 1, Williams addressed his pending ban for the first time Friday night while attending the launch of teammate Chris Chambers' new charity foundation CATCH 84. "I'm on the team right now. What's going to happen, I can't really say," Williams said. "I'm a spiritual person, so I believe that whatever happens is God's will. Whatever it is, I'll make the best of this and life goes on."
After appealing the failed test to the NFL 13 days ago in New York, Williams could know his fate as early as this week. Williams, who had failed three previous drug tests for marijuana, faces a one-year ban if the NFL rejects his appeal. Williams declined comment on questions related to the appeals process, but a source said he tested positive for a drug other than marijuana. Asked whether it was difficult having to wait to learn his fate, Williams said, "I'm not waiting. I've talked before about having expectations. Having a relationship with God and being a spiritual person, I know that whatever He wants is going to happen."
Decked in an all-white outfit consisting of a golf shirt, cotton slacks and Nike sneakers, Williams appeared to have lost a considerable amount of bulk after having spent several months this offseason on a yoga retreat in India. Williams also dropped weight during the year he spent away from football before his return to the Dolphins last July. Williams mingled with Chambers and fellow teammates Randy McMichael and Daunte Culpepper at the Friday night function at Shula's Steak 2. The core of the Dolphins' offense even took a photo together with comedian and event co-host Tommy Davidson, who joked earlier that Williams had nothing to worry about with future drug testing because Barry Bonds and Lawrence Taylor would be the administrators.
"That [photo] was a classic -- and we're missing two other good players in Book and Ronnie," said Chambers, referring to wide receiver Marty Booker and tailback Ronnie Brown. "That's the kind of team we are. We're more of a team these days. We support each other. Ricky doesn't usually come to these things, but I let him know he would be in a comfortable environment. I think he really had a good time. This was like a bonding experience for us."
Williams said he is appreciative of how much backing he has received from the Dolphins during the appeals process. "I'm very blessed," said Williams, who is participating in the team's workout program. "I've had my ups and downs. Still, for some reason, my teammates and especially coach [Nick] Saban have been very supportive. It's a good feeling."