The former outcast of the NFL has come a long way to redemption and has finally found it. Ricky Williams was a running back for the University of Texas, New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, among other teams. Even though it seemed like football was his passion with the extreme talent he had for playing the game, Williams has spent his time away from the field seeking inner peace. He now gets this life high by becoming a mentor and providing inspiration and motivation thru charitable work and speeches.
The motivation was on full display when Williams stopped by to throw out the first pitch of a Houston Astros game. Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis has long been a fan of Williams and showed just what a little motivation from the former Heisman winner could do. Gattis met with Williams prior to the game, and in the first inning, hit a two run home run for his inspiration. He told Chron.com's Houston Astros blog:
"Whenever I was out of the game, he was an inspirational story. For whatever reason, I was enamored. He was an inspiration to me whenever I wasn't playing."
A week earlier, Williams was showcasing his inspirational side in Colorado for a charitable foundation he has been a part of. Williams gave the keynote speech at the Shaka Franklin Foundation Luncheon. The foundation was created to address youth suicide and depression, something Williams knows all too much about. The Denver Post has Williams opening up about his past and the path he has taken:
"That's one of the key ideas, and key points about having a vision -- a unique, individual vision -- because other people, a lot of times, can't see it until you bring it into the world. When you're extremely talented, like I was in football, you start to devote more energy to what you're good at, or what you're supposed to be doing, and in doing that sometimes you deny your awareness of what your vision is."
It sounds like Ricky can stop running. He has found higher elevation indeed.
What do you think of the post NFL path Ricky Williams has taken? Do you think he is a great inspirational story? Tell us what you think.
