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Judge: Ricky must repay Dolphins
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams must repay the team $8.6 million in bonus money, a judge in Florida ruled Tuesday.
The Dolphins filed a grievance against Williams after he retired just prior to training camp this past season, claiming a breach of contract, and on September 25 of last year arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled that the former league rushing champion had to give back the bonus money he received.
The National Football League Players' Association asked the court in a hearing last Friday to vacate the arbitrator's ruling, but on Tuesday U.S. District Court Judge James Cohn disagreed.
"This Court recognizes that the default provisions of the Dolphins-Williams contract could be construed as valid liquidated damages or as an unenforceable penalty," Cohn wrote in his decision. "However, the Court finds that the arbitrator in this case was well within the scope of his authority in interpreting the default provisions of the contract in the context of the NFL's CBA and Florida law."
Williams had penalty clauses inserted into his contract when it was reworked two years ago upon his arrival in Miami. The clauses enabled the club to recoup incentive money and part of his signing bonus if he did not finish out the remainder of the deal.
"The Court therefore concludes that Williams and the NFLPA have not met their burden to vacate the arbitration award," Cohn concluded. "They failed to establish that the arbitrator manifestly disregarded the law, or that enforcement of the award would violate public policy, or that the award is arbitrary and capricious."
Williams' abrupt retirement in July was the first step in what turned into a dismal 2004 season for the Dolphins, who went from a 10-win team in 2003 to just 4-12 this past year.
The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner decided to retire just before training camp amid speculation that he would be suspended for a failed drug test.
There was also talk in early December that Williams wanted to be re-instated, but he instead decided to remain retired.
For his career, which has spanned only five seasons, Williams rushed for 6,354 yards and 41 touchdowns. In two seasons with Miami, he had 3,225 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns while also nabbing two receiving TDs.
Williams was first drafted by New Orleans with the fifth overall pick in 1999 and spent three years with the Saints before being traded to the Dolphins. His best season came in his first year with the Dolphins in 2002, when he ran for 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns in 16 games.
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams must repay the team $8.6 million in bonus money, a judge in Florida ruled Tuesday.
The Dolphins filed a grievance against Williams after he retired just prior to training camp this past season, claiming a breach of contract, and on September 25 of last year arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled that the former league rushing champion had to give back the bonus money he received.
The National Football League Players' Association asked the court in a hearing last Friday to vacate the arbitrator's ruling, but on Tuesday U.S. District Court Judge James Cohn disagreed.
"This Court recognizes that the default provisions of the Dolphins-Williams contract could be construed as valid liquidated damages or as an unenforceable penalty," Cohn wrote in his decision. "However, the Court finds that the arbitrator in this case was well within the scope of his authority in interpreting the default provisions of the contract in the context of the NFL's CBA and Florida law."
Williams had penalty clauses inserted into his contract when it was reworked two years ago upon his arrival in Miami. The clauses enabled the club to recoup incentive money and part of his signing bonus if he did not finish out the remainder of the deal.
"The Court therefore concludes that Williams and the NFLPA have not met their burden to vacate the arbitration award," Cohn concluded. "They failed to establish that the arbitrator manifestly disregarded the law, or that enforcement of the award would violate public policy, or that the award is arbitrary and capricious."
Williams' abrupt retirement in July was the first step in what turned into a dismal 2004 season for the Dolphins, who went from a 10-win team in 2003 to just 4-12 this past year.
The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner decided to retire just before training camp amid speculation that he would be suspended for a failed drug test.
There was also talk in early December that Williams wanted to be re-instated, but he instead decided to remain retired.
For his career, which has spanned only five seasons, Williams rushed for 6,354 yards and 41 touchdowns. In two seasons with Miami, he had 3,225 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns while also nabbing two receiving TDs.
Williams was first drafted by New Orleans with the fifth overall pick in 1999 and spent three years with the Saints before being traded to the Dolphins. His best season came in his first year with the Dolphins in 2002, when he ran for 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns in 16 games.
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