Ricky Williams, who signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him with the Miami Dolphins through 2010 and told The Miami Herald that he intends to retire after the contract expires.
The 32-year-old running back is scheduled to earn a base salary of $3.4 million this season and $4.35 million in 2010.
Williams told the Herald that he talked to Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells and they worked out an agreement that was “quiet and easy” – and without an agent.
“When you have a person and an organization that follows a certain philosophy, it’s just nice,” Williams told the Herald. “Some organizations like players and want to take care of players. Some organizations aren’t that way.”
The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and 2002 NFL rushing champion has rejuvenated his career, and became a solid running back alongside Ronnie Brown last season.
Five years ago Williams shocked the NFL by retiring from football. He also is a five-time offender of the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Williams returned in 2007, but that stint didn’t last long. He gained only 15 yards on six carries before he fumbled, was stepped on and tore his chest muscle against Pittsburgh.
Last season, Williams returned again and similarly negotiated his own contract extension, admitting he upset then-agent Leigh Steinberg.
Williams told the Herald that after he retires he plans on completing his undergraduate degree before applying to medical school. He told the newspaper that he has “at least two more years” of classes to complete for his bachelor’s degree after he retires.
Information from the Miami Herald, The Associated Press and Espn.com contributed to this report.
