Ricky Williams says he would be in Hall of Fame if marijuana were legal

Former Dolphins and Ravens running back Ricky Williams thinks he could have been a Hall of Famer.

Former Dolphins and Ravens running back Ricky Williams believes he would be in the NFL Hall of Fame if marijuana were legal.

Williams explained his case on the HBO show Any Given Wednesday.

“For sure. No doubt about it,” Williams said when asked by Bill Simmons if he would be in the Hall if weed were legal. “I look at the amount of stress and things that distracted me from playing football surrounding cannabis. Also the negative media coverage I got really tarnished my image.”

• SI Longform: Ricky Williams takes the high road

William’s retired abruptly before the 2004 season after failing multiple drug tests. He was also suspended for the entire 2006 season after coming back to the NFL and violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Williams retired after the 2011 season with 10,009 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns in his career. He holds the Dolphins single-season franchise records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. 

In 2015, Williams was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.