Ricky Williams on Football, Healing, and Changing the Game
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Ricky Williams, who was once heavily criticized for his use of cannabis, now sees the tides turning. He reflected on how the narrative has shifted, with more states legalizing marijuana and players openly using it for recovery.
“It has come a long way, and it hasn’t fallen off the track,” Williams said. “Seventy to eighty percent of players in the NFL are consuming at least on a weekly basis, and the game is still thriving. The reality is that players need this to perform at their best. We put our bodies and minds through hell. Anything that helps us recover and maintain perspective can’t be bad for us.”
Williams pointed out that other professional leagues have been more open-minded about cannabis use. He argued that, as a team owner or coach, he would rather see players using cannabis for pain management and recovery than becoming dependent on prescription painkillers.
Healing from the Gridiron: A Personal Mission
Williams’s latest venture, Healing from the Gridiron, focuses on helping retired players recover from the physical and mental toll of football. Inspired by his time playing in the Canadian Football League, he discovered the benefits of alternative healing methods, particularly osteopathic therapy.
“When I was in Canada, I broke my arm early in the season and was introduced to an osteopath,” Williams explained. “I visited him weekly for eight weeks and came back to play my best game of the year. It made me realize that trauma builds up in an athlete’s body over time, and if we don’t actively remove it, it affects our performance and quality of life after retirement.”
This revelation fueled his passion for wellness, and now he’s on a mission to help other former players regain their health and vitality.
How the Chiefs Will Three-Peat: 10 Keys to a Super Bowl Victory
Memories of the Superdome and Playing in New Orleans
Williams spent part of his career with the New Orleans Saints and vividly remembers playing in the iconic Superdome.
“I think of the fans first,” Williams said. “The Saints fans in that dome—there’s nothing like it. They love their team on a soul level.”
However, he also recalled the brutal playing surface of the old Superdome.
“When Kyle Turley and I played, it was the old-school Astroturf—concrete with a thin layer of padding and carpet over it,” he said. “It tore up our knees; it tore up our skin. Thank God they’ve improved it.”
Chiefs vs. Eagles Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
Super Bowl Predictions
As for the big game, Williams predicted a Philadelphia Eagles victory, calling it “one of the best Super Bowls ever.”
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
