He is a con artist. I feel for him if he indeed has a problem that requires rehab, but this doesn’t feel like a case of a sick man. It feels like a selfish individual who is telling those in his sphere whatever they need to hear in order for him to continue living the way he wants to live.

He misrepresented himself when he returned to the Dolphins. He apologized to the Dolphins and indicated that he was ready to resume his football career. Yet it didn’t really mean it.

Remember, back in July 2004, when he stunned the Dolphins and the rest of the NFL by announcing his retirement after just five seasons, he said this to the Miami Herald:

“I just don’t want to be in this business anymore. I was never strong enough to not play football, but I’m strong enough now. I’ve considered everything about this. Everyone has thrown every possible scenario at me about why I shouldn’t do this, but they’re in denial. I’m happy with my decision.

“I’m finally free. I can’t remember ever being this happy.”

Did the Dolphins think that, one year later, Williams would miraculously transform into Walter Payton or Emmitt Smith or Jerome Bettis, someone who eats, drinks, sleeps and breathes football? Were they that easily duped?

Again, I understand the power of addiction. I know that it isn’t easy to kick a habit. But I don’t think this is that. I don’t think Williams has what Eddie Sutton has. I think what Williams has is an insatiable need to do what’s best for Ricky, even if it causes problems for those around him.

If Ricky Williams had been able to repay the $8.6 million owed to the Dolphins — the team won a federal court judgment against him — he would have been on a sticky mat somewhere in India, contorting his body instead of in Miami twisting the truth.

Williams' football career is basically over. Even in the ego-driven world of NFL coaches and executives, where somebody somewhere will always believe he can tame the incorrigible, or resurrect a lost cause, Ricky Williams will forever be looked upon as if he had a red circle with a slash through it on him.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

Whatever drug he took is not the problem. When he retires from the NFL, he take whatever drug he wants — assuming he can elude the authorities, that is.

But he had a responsibility to stay clean. He made a promise to the Dolphins that if they took him back, he’d follow the rules while he was in their employ. He agreed to the terms of his reinstatement, which included being tested 10 times a month.

He reneged. What a surprise.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

PFT Daily: Florio’s take on hot topics Texans boot chances to beat rolling Titans Power rankings: Chargers on the rise PFT: Ryan thinks Patriots ‘disrespected’ Jets PFT: Cooley probably headed for injured reserve Trash Talk: Thanksgiving games are just turkeys PFT: Cowboys downplay Campo-Newman spat Out of Bounds: Ricky Williams receives remote healing? PFT: Someone hacked Jet’s Twitter account Roethlisberger expected to play despite concussion   NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: