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There used to be no 'I' in team. But, now it seems the condition of the professional sports world has changed. Athletes have become selfish and greedy, out for themselves and whatever else that might benefit their career. I could site many examples throughout the years, but, for the most recent instances just look at the 2004 NBA off-season with more player shuffling than Vegas card dealers. More trade gambling than Vegas bookies. More team loyalty shown than Vegas hookers. Long gone are the days of the Jordans, the Birds, and the Magic Johnsons who were signed to a team and stood by that team for the tenure of their career, no matter the standings. I first heard about Ricky Williams a year ago when he was on the Oprah Winfrey show. He was talking about an ailment he was suffering from called Social Anxiety Disorder (S.A.D). Now this is the first time I heard of S.A.D. S.A.D is a fear of public situations probably rooted from anticipated negative public opinion, which in turn, creates a lack of confidence in the individual's mind. Many people suffer from symptoms of S.A.D and are not even aware that they have an actual recognized medical condition. It is a progressive move on the part of the medical community to diagnose this as a legitimate ailment, because without societal acceptance of these problems one's anxiety might only be furthered. However, one must suspect the motives of said medical community. Pharmaceutical companies are often in bed with the 'leading' experts and it could be that these doctors are diagnosing patients with depressions' in order to sell more of their mind-altering drugs. Natural cures are nature's way of healing human nature. You are who you are supposed to be so seek out some of the many alternative methods for dealing with depression. I.e. writing, and in the words of most athletes 'Say No To Drugs'. That goes double for prescription anti- depressants. Did you know a hundred years ago if you were suffering from depression doctors would perform a brain surgery to remove the affected part of your brain so that your brain would function 'normally'? Sounds barbaric? Well, nowadays they don't have to perform these surgeries anymore cause they have miracle anti depressants that will do the same job and make your brain function 'normally' without the need for surgery. Say No To Drugs. Anyways, back to Ricky, I must say that it took a lot of courage to profess your ailment to the world on international TV. He was facing his worst fear head-on like a fear of heights being cured by jumping out of plane. While he conversed on Oprah he seemed very down to earth and it appeared as though his soul was guiding his actions. He is a blessed individual given the gift of great athletic ability, which in turn, would give him the gift of exceeding financial stability in a money driven society. He could easily be like so many other athletes that have been granted a great deal of money and fame, but, abuse the power for greater self gratification i.e. obscene contracts, endorsement deals etc. I do not watch football and I hadn't heard too much about Ricky Williams since that television appearance. Apparently, in the off-season, he has been travelling the world. Not to posh exotic resorts, but Third World poverty stricken countries. Maybe in his travels he has been shown certain wisdoms that have illuminated his mind to a higher purpose in life. And following this, he would have to sever ties of an opposing life in order to further his new calling. Whatever the case may be; instead of applauding the fact that an athlete wants to leave the game, the money and the fame behind to pursue a higher purpose with his life, these sports journalist are attacking him. They call him selfish and greedy for wanting to retire at 27 years old, in the prime of his career as opposed to being forced into retirement by serious injury, age or the organization casting him out. Ricky will be walking away from all that new money. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Isn't money is supposed to control your walk and your actions? So here is Ricky Williams taking a stand and yet it seems like any time you do something different in the public eye you are persecuted for your beliefs. One of the obstacles in front of Ricky is a third charge from the NFL for failing a marijuana test. Every time he failed he had to pay a fine of 650 thousand dollars. Pretty steep for smoking some herb! I wonder what the charge for steroid usage is? But then it shouldn't be a problem because no one in the NFL takes steroids or performance enhancing drugs right? I guess Ricky Williams is fed up of all the negative attention and publicity he is getting for following a righteous path. Well I say Large up Ricky! Keep doing your thing and on your new journey use the power you have obtained to do some good in this Life. One! |
