Latest news with #RickyWilliams
Fox News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Mike Tyson, Kevin Durant, other sports stars urge Trump to enact cannabis reform in White House letter
EXCLUSIVE: A coalition of sports stars and entertainers have sent a letter to the White House urging President Donald Trump to enact cannabis reform. The group is headlined by boxing legend Mike Tyson, NBA superstar Kevin Durant, former NBA star Allen Iverson, former boxer Roy Jones Jr., former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant, former NFL star Antonio Brown, and former NFL player and prominent cannabis advocate Ricky Williams. Williams' name appears twice on the list of signees. The group labels itself the "Coalition of Athletes and Entertainers Supporting President Trump's Policy Objectives." The letter highlights three main points in their proposed reform: Clemency for "nonviolent" marijuana offenses, support for marijuana rescheduling and ending "discriminatory banking practices." The first point in the letter points out Trump's previous pardon of music producer Weldon Angelos, who was sentenced to 55 years in prison in November 2004 for marijuana charges. Angelos was released in 2016 and then pardoned by Trump in December 2020. The letter also criticized former President Joe Biden for a lack of action on addressing marijuana-related incarcerations. "Today, people continue to serve lengthy federal sentences for conduct that is now legal in most states – which makes their continued incarceration not only cruel but absurd. After making sweeping promises to voters in 2020, former President Biden failed to deliver on his pledge to address marijuana-related injustices. Not only did he leave office without commuting the sentences of those incarcerated for marijuana, but in one of his final acts, he denied nearly every pending marijuana-related clemency application," the letter states. "This betrayal only underscores the urgent need for bold leadership, we believe, and represents an opportunity to correct glaring disparities as part of your Administration's ongoing push for criminal justice reform." The second point in the letter urges Trump to reclassify the drug from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III. The difference in the respective schedules, which are determined by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), determines how drugs are viewed in terms of their potential for abuse vs. medical application. Schedule I substances have a high potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use in the U.S. They also have a high potential for severe psychological and/or physical dependence. Schedule III substances have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence compared to Schedule I and II drugs, and they have accepted medical use in the United States. "Marijuana's current classification as a Schedule I substance is scientifically outdated, economically detrimental, and at odds with modern medical understanding," the letter states. "Rescheduling marijuana would harmonize federal law with state policies, promote innovation, encourage research, and drive economic growth." The final point in the letter arguing against "discriminatory banking practices" points out that Trump has been opposed to a previous U.S. initiative called "Operation Choke Point," which investigated banks and the business they did with firearms dealers, payday lenders and other companies that, while operating legally, were said to be at a high risk for fraud and money laundering. The group argued marijuana businesses have also been affected by that initiative and other banking practices. "State-legal cannabis operators, including many of us, have also been unjustly denied banking services despite full compliance with state law," the letter read. "Despite operating legally in 40 states, employing over 450,000 Americans, and generating more than $35 billion annually, these businesses face unjust barriers to banking services, and their employees struggle to obtain mortgages from traditional lenders. "Moreover, cannabis businesses cannot take standard business deductions, leading to effective tax rates often exceeding 85%. While foreign cannabis companies benefit from listings on U.S. exchanges, such as NYSE and NASDAQ, American cannabis operators are unjustly excluded. We fully support your commitment to 'work with Congress to pass common-sense laws, including safe banking,' ensuring fair economic opportunities and equal access to financial services for all American businesses." The other figures listed on the letter to the White House include former NBA players Steven Jackson, Chris Webber, JR Smith, John Salley and Al Harrington, former NFL players Jim McMahon, Kyle Turley, Champ Bailey, Marvin Washington and Tony Richardson, and former boxers Boyd Melson, Paul Willias and Keith Thurmon. The entertainment figures on the letter are streamer Adin Ross, rappers Lil Pump and Ralo, and musician Wyclef. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Star Not Named Arch Manning Tabbed 'Sleeper' for 2025 Heisman Trophy
Texas Star Not Named Arch Manning Tabbed 'Sleeper' for 2025 Heisman Trophy originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is expected to lead his team under center in 2025. Advertisement However, he was not the topic of discussion over the weekend. College football analyst Michael Bratton named a 2025 Heisman "sleeper" for every SEC team, excluding quarterbacks. When it came to the Longhorns, Bratton picked running back Tre Wisner. Texas' last Heisman winner was running back Ricky Williams in 1998. Wisner made a name for himself last season after Texas suffered a key injury at running back. CJ Baxter suffered a torn LCL and PCL before the 2024 season started, leaving the running back room in need of help. Wisner stepped in and led the Longhorns with 1,064 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Texas Longhorns running back Tre Wisner. © Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Longhorns' running back flew under the radar as a prospect, with the On3 Industry Rankings rating him as a three-star recruit. Wisner was the No. 30 running back recruit in the 2023 class. Advertisement Wisner helped lead a Texas team that reached the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns eventually reached the semifinal of the first 12-team playoff. The running back room in Austin now features plenty of depth with both Wisner and Baxter returning in 2025. Texas has been in the spotlight recently for reasons other than Wisner. Fans got to see how head coach Steve Sarkisian will look in the upcoming video game, EA Sports College Football 26. The game will feature the likenesses of head coaches for the first time since 2013. EA Sports College Football 26 releases on July 10. Advertisement The Longhorns made some recruiting news on May 29 when Minkah Fitzpatrick's brother, Justice, named Texas a finalist. Texas faces the Ohio State Buckeyes in its 2025 season opener on August 30. Related: Steve Sarkisian Sets Record Straight on $40 Million Roster Rumor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
23-06-2025
- Politics
- NBC Sports
Ricky Williams got the Texas THC ban veto he wanted
Longhorn legend Ricky Williams, who also did pretty well as an NFL running back, openly lobbied for Texas Governor Greg Abbott to veto a THC ban that had been passed by the state's legislature. Late Sunday night, and roughly an hour before the deadline for doing so, Abbott scrapped the bill. He also issued a lengthy explanation of the decision. The move saved the hemp industry in Texas. Abbott reasoned that the bill would have caused farmers to choose between that which is legal under federal law (specifically, the 2018 Farm Bill) and that which would have become illegal under state law. He also explained that the law would have triggered a legal that 'would never go into effect' due to valid constitutional challenges. Abbott also called a special session in July aimed at coming up with a solution to the situation that will better reflect current federal law. Said Williams in opposition to the bill: 'This plant helped me stay balanced and healthy through the grind of professional football. Now it's helping veterans manage PTSD and families manage pain. These changes in the law don't protect Texans — it punishes them. The people of Texas deserve freedom of choice and don't need the government to tell them what they can and can't put in their body. If we have learned anything from the past decade it has been that.' It was a very contentious issue among Texas politicians. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick argued aggressively for the bill, arguing that THC puts the lives and mental state of users in peril. The Texas effort cuts against the current national mood regarding THC. It's permitted for medicinal reasons in more and more states, and recreational marijuana use has been permitted in 24 states and the District of Columbia.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ricky Williams slams Texas lawmakers in explosive lawsuit, claiming the hemp THC ban defies federal law and endangers the rights of millions
Ricky Williams has always been more than just a football player. After a career marked by big runs and bold choices, the former Dolphins star is stepping into a different kind of spotlight—this time as a defender of cannabis rights. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In June 2025, Williams joined a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping a proposed Texas law that would ban hemp-derived THC products like Delta-8. 'Texas is attempting to outlaw these items against the will of hundreds of thousands of voters,' the legal complaint states. Now, Williams is bringing his voice—and his influence—to a battle that could change everything. Ricky Williams warns Texas hemp THC ban could devastate the state's cannabis economy, risking billions in revenue and hundreds of small businesses It all started when Texas lawmakers introduced a bill that would classify many hemp-based THC products as Schedule I substances—putting them in the same category as heroin and LSD. If passed, the law would force shops across the state to pull popular items like gummies, vapes, and oils off the shelves. That didn't sit right with Williams. So he teamed up with the Cannabis Freedom Alliance and signed onto a lawsuit challenging the proposed ban. Filed in Texas and cited in a report by ProFootballTalk, the suit argues that the state can't just override federal law. Specifically, it points to the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp-derived cannabinoids nationwide. The suit also warns that Texas is threatening to undo years of work by businesses and farmers who've built a thriving industry under the protections of that law. And for Williams, this fight is personal. Ricky Williams blasts Texas for ignoring science and silencing choice, calling the hemp THC ban a reckless move that punishes athletes seeking natural recovery Speaking at a wellness event in Austin, Williams didn't hold back. 'Cannabis allowed me to extend my athletic career and recover without prescription drugs,' he said. Since retiring from the NFL in 2011, Ricky Williams has leaned into a lifestyle built around healing—teaching yoga, practicing meditation, and advocating for holistic wellness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To him, cannabis isn't just a talking point. It's a tool that helped him cope with pain, both physical and emotional. Now he's using his platform to push back. Through social media, interviews, and public appearances, Williams has urged Texans to stand up for their rights. 'This ban doesn't just affect me—it affects small businesses, farmers, and consumers. Communities,' he said during a recent livestream. Why Ricky Williams' fight against Texas' cannabis ban could set a national precedent Texas lawmakers say they're concerned about the potency of products like Delta-8 and how they're marketed to younger audiences. But critics argue that strict regulation—not a flat-out ban—is the real solution. Other states, like Idaho and Wyoming, have already tossed out similar laws in court. This lawsuit could be the next to set a precedent. Legal experts say the outcome might not just shape policy in Texas—it could influence what happens nationwide. If the courts side with Williams and his legal team, hemp-derived THC products would remain protected. But if the state wins? It could be the first domino in a wave of bans. Ricky Williams may be done running on the field, but he's not done running toward what he believes in. With this lawsuit, he's putting his name—and his legacy—on the line for something bigger than football. Whether or not the courts agree with him, one thing's clear: Williams isn't afraid to challenge the system. Not when he thinks people's rights are on the line. Also Read:
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chris Perkins: Ricky Williams has one regret about his Dolphins career
MIAMI — A measly 301 yards. That's all that separates astrologer Ricky Williams, who is No. 2 on the Miami Dolphins all-time rushing list, from Hall of Fame running back Larry Csonka, who is No. 1. A mere 301 yards. Advertisement Csonka has 6,737 yards, Williams has 6,436. That bothers Williams a bit. Does that news surprise you? Well, it's true. Williams considers himself an astrologer nowadays. And a businessman. Williams is back in South Florida for a cannabis festival — Cannadelic Miami, a two-day event at the Miami Airport Convention Center. Williams was a speaker on an intriguing five-person panel entitled, 'The Psychedelic Locker Room.' Panelists discussed how methods such as plant medicine like as cannabis, psychedelics such as ayahuasca, and hyperbaric chambers can help the body heal, open awareness and lead to a better life in many ways and on many levels. Advertisement I spoke to him afterward. I reminded Williams of a chat we had back in maybe 2009 or 2010 about him reaching 10,000 yards rushing, which was an unofficial Hall of Fame stepping stone at the time. Williams said he had two paths he could have taken regarding the Hall of Fame. 'One path would have taken me closer to the Hall of Fame, one path would have taken me away from it,' he said. 'And I consciously chose to go with the one that was away from it, and I'm glad that I did because of all that I've gotten in return. 'The one thing that I do cherish is my time here,' Williams continued, 'and the only real regret that I have, honestly, is that I didn't finish my career here, because if I would have played my last year I probably would have been Dolphins all-time leading rusher.' Advertisement What was most obvious talking to Williams, who started his 11-year career in New Orleans and ended it in Baltimore, is how much he treasures his seven years with the Dolphins. 'It's where I had the most success as a professional, and I made a name for myself,' he said. 'I can say the ups and downs that I played 10 years plus, I ran for a thousand yards multiple times, and I was the NFL leading rusher and an All-Pro. All that happened in Miami.' Don't get it twisted. Being the No. 2 rusher in Dolphins history doesn't haunt Williams on a daily basis. He's moved on to another stage of life. 'Primarily I'm an astrologer,' he said. 'I do consultations, I write code for my app (Lila), and I teach.' Advertisement One of the things I most enjoyed about covering Williams, and that I enjoyed about talking with him, is that he never fails to enlighten. Football is only part of Williams' story. He's always known he had to go deeper, much deeper. 'I've always had a destiny to touch people,' he said. 'But football, it wasn't enough because the way I touch people, yeah, they'd be inspired, and their team won, or their fantasy team won or whatever, but it's like right after Sunday, after Tuesday or Wednesday, when the hype of the last weekend's game died off, I've got to do it all over again. 'That's not really sustainable.' Advertisement Williams is always seeking more, which brings us to another reason that he was in town. Cannadelic Miami is a combination cannabis and psychedelic conference and expo that unofficially started Thursday with a golf tournament that Williams hosted. The event features products and exhibitors, and includes guest speakers such as Williams, doctors, former athletes, legal experts and entrepreneurs, and includes wellness retreats that include breathwork, sound healing, yoga, integration circles and more. Williams is launching a cannabis line, 'Highsman.' Get it? It'll be featured locally at Goldflower, a dispensary opening in Miami on June 14. Advertisement Williams spends a good amount of time speaking and appearing at events such as Cannadelic Miami and exploring ways to help people find awareness. It's among the many things that make Williams unique even in his post-playing days. Listen to him speak about plant medicine and psychedelics. 'The plants and the medicine are tools that are giving us potential to study what's going on with consciousness,' he said. 'And I think as more people are willing to use these tools to expand their consciousness, we'll be able to study how consciousness works. And we're going to learn a whole lot.' For years it's been hard to pigeonhole Williams as a football player. Advertisement He's taught meditation at Nova Southeastern University. He went to the foothills of the Himalayas to study the origins of cannabis. As part of being an astrologer, he's got an app, Lila, that calls itself 'Timely food for thought' and says it 'is designed to help even novice users better understand themselves and their relationship needs using insights derived from astrology.' On Friday, just as he was in 2002, when he was traded to the Dolphins from New Orleans in a blockbuster deal, just as he was in 2004, when he shocked the NFL world by abruptly retiring on the eve of training camp, and just as he was in 2009, when he was named team MVP, Williams was captivating. Advertisement I asked if he had it to do all over again, considering the failed drug tests and suspension for the 2006 season, would he have smoked cannabis during his career? Williams doubled down. 'If I had to do everything all over again, I would have advocated more,' he said. 'I think it's easy to say in this day and age, but back then I didn't realize how many advocacy groups were out there, that if I consciously said, 'I want to make a strong case for this,' I was in a position at my level in the NFL that I could have started that conversation.' Williams' sudden 2004 retirement remains a sore spot for a segment of Dolphins fans. It might not be that way for players, though. Advertisement Tim Bowens, the former Dolphins defensive tackle who was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor in October, said he wasn't mad at Williams for retiring on the eve of 2004 training camp, and he said neither were most players. 'We were probably more confused than anything,' Bowens recalled Friday via phone, adding, 'But I didn't really have any hard feelings about it. Most of the guys were probably on Rick's side, man.' But Bowens thinks Williams, a daily cannabis user, might have been ahead of his time when it comes to cannabis as a healing agent. 'Rick is a smart man,' Bowens said. 'Everybody thinks Rick is a certain way. But, man, Rick's got a pretty good head on his shoulders. He's highly intelligent.' Advertisement One thing that was obvious talking to Williams, who remains as mellow as ever, is that for all of the attention he attracts for being a proponent of cannabis and psychedelics, he still has that competitive fire that all great athletes share. Being the best, being No. 1 means something. It always will. He wanted to be the Dolphins' all-time leading rusher more than rushing for 10,000 yards. He's proud that he rushed for 10,009 yards. He just wishes he'd have stayed one final year with the Dolphins instead of going to Baltimore for his final season in 2011. 'The 10,000 yards would have come with it,' he said of playing one more year with the Dolphins. 'I got the 10,000 yards, but I didn't get the all-time (record in Miami). I think just all the ups and downs with the Dolphins, to be on top of that list at the end of my career would have been better for me. 'That's the only regret, that I didn't play my last year here.' ____
