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Ricky Williams: Holistic Shaman of the NFL

By ArtieFufkin

Ricky Williams at Acupuncture Massage College. (Michael Francis Mcelroy for The New York Times)

The New York Times has an interesting look at what Dolphins RB Ricky Williams has been up to this off-season … namely, studying to be a massage therapist in a Florida strip mall.

It’s just the latest outpost on Williams’ long, strange journey, which has brought him from Heisman Trophy winner and #1 draft pick to the world’s most infamous pothead, and most recently, to a yoga practicing, world-traveling spiritual seeker.

What once seemed like a strange series of encounters, Williams hopes to one day fully integrate. He envisions becoming something like an N.F.L. shaman, responsible to a team or players for a holistic approach — body, mind, soul — to healing.

“The more I pay attention to what’s going on inside, the more I realize that how I feel, and how I react to what I feel, really creates my reality,” Williams said. “And the more in touch I can be, the better chance I have to control what’s happening in my life.”

And so that’s what Williams is doing these days.  Trying to take control over his life.  He’s returning to play for the AFC East Champion Dolphins this year, having rushed for 683 yards last season.  But at the same time, Williams has also taken the time to engage in the search for self, and to grow as a human being.

For all the jokes that can be made at Williams’ expense, he’s always come across as genuine and humble in his search for truth. And regardless of what happens on the football field, it seems that Williams has achieved a level of perspective and self-awareness that eludes most.

“At the core, we’re all spiritual beings,” Williams said. “It’s something that I had been pushing down my whole life. The search for meaning, I guess, the whispering of the soul.”

Not exactly a soundbite you’d expect to get from most NFL players.