A few weeks ago, around the time of baseball's All-Star Game, I turned on my favorite show, Pardon the Interruption. Dan Le Batard was on and the subject of Josh Hamilton came up.
Le Batard went a bit off-topic from the question and implied that Hamilton was only a positive story because he was a “white guy.” Generally, I find Le Batard annoying, but this time he got me thinking.
The weekend after the Home Run Derby, a co-worker of mine, who is well aware of the fact that I’m a sports geek, approached me asking if I’d seen the derby. He brought Hamilton to my attention, and explained how great of a story it was in his eyes.
Another co-worker of ours, and a close friend of mine, is a former drug addict. I compared Hamilton to him, and he said, of the other co-worker, “Why do you think I like him so much?”
I, jaw open, collected myself and responded with, “Hamilton is simply what he should have been. Why is it more impressive for someone to dig their own hole and climb back to ground level, than for someone to remain at ground level their whole life?”
In 1999, the year Hamilton was drafted, there was another player drafted in another sport with a virtually identical story. However, the two have been portrayed by the media in an extremely different light.
Ricky Williams, like Hamilton, has battled drug addiction since being drafted fifth overall by the New Orleans Saints.
Williams played his college ball at the University of Texas, and Hamilton currently plays for the Texas Rangers.
Again, like Hamilton, Williams spent time away from football after retiring previous to the 2004 season, and returning in 2005.
Williams and Hamilton both have credited their new found religious practices for their ability to conquer their respective addictions.
Both have been drug tested dozens of times since re-entering their respective sports at the highest level, Williams returning from Canada and Hamilton making the jump from the minor leagues in the Rule Five draft.
The most obvious differences are that Hamilton is a Christian white guy who is performing at an elite level, and he is a former heroin addict. Williams is a black Hindu who is likely past his prime, and he was addicted to marijuana.
Some of the same sanctimonious radio, television, and print personalities that blasted Williams have come from far and wide to praise Hamilton.
Hamilton didn’t spend any of the first seven years of his professional baseball career in the national spotlight, and it is possible that his reception from America’s sports fans is a result of ignorance of him, rather than a more broad ignorance.
However, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Williams, like Hamilton in so many ways, is publicly looked down upon, while Hamilton, who fits nearly every Aryan standard is widely accepted.
Williams is atypical. The average American is a Caucasian Christian. Is it really that far-fetched to think that an average American would be made uncomfortable by a black Hindu who took a year off of football to become a yoga instructor?
Or, more importantly, are we, and the media that represents us, really this primitive in the forming of our opinions?
Are we that uncomfortable with religions that aren’t monotheistic? Is recovering from heroin addiction somehow more honorable than recovering from an addiction to marijuana? Or is weed simply the “black man’s drug?”
This is by no means an attempt to build up Ricky Williams. However, Williams has paid for his misdeeds in every possible arena on earth. His wallet, dignity, and public image have all taken major hits in the past half-decade.
Hamilton however, was allowed to essentially recover in hiding, and spent four years away from baseball, when a needle was more important to him than a baseball or bat.
We vilify players who inject steroids and HGH. Last season, Rick Ankiel went from Disney movie to demon with a simple news story.
We make a joke of players who get caught with marijuana in their systems, unless of course, the player fits into the clean, cookie-cutter image we expect from our professional athletes.
Josh Hamilton has broken baseball’s substance abuse policy more times than Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa combined, so what gives?
And to the elephant in the room, who is to say that, while Hamilton was doing drugs, he didn’t load a needle with steroids or HGH?
Of course, it’s irresponsible to speculate on something like that, especially if the player has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a firm belief in Jesus Christ, right?
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2 months ago
Great article! I agree completely. One can also compare Josh Hamilton's story to that of Dwight Gooden, who had drug problems, but returned to the majors with much success. He got nowhere nearly as much praise as Hamilton.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Daniel! Thanks for reading and becoming a fan.
I think one interesting difference between Gooden, Williams, and Hamilton is that Gooden's drug-of-choice, cocaine, was the cultural equivalent to PED's in the 1980's. Coke ran rampant through all professional sports during the 1980's, and it was coke alone, in my opinion, that prompted the leagues to implement substance abuse policies. (Especially after Len Bias' death).
Considering I was born in 1986, I hate to speak too knowledgeably about the 80's as far as tolerance is concerned, but it seems to me that America was still riding high on the overall support of Hank Aaron in the early 70's, and more tolerant according the "folk-lore" that I'm aware of.
from 2 months ago
Did Josh Hamilton walk out on his team like Ricky did?
I hear Josh Hamilton thanking God for his turnaround and you can see a DEFINITE difference in him and his life. What has Ricky done to make me think any different of him?
The big difference is when Ricky walked out on his team, that was a bogus thing to do and it showed how selfish he was.
Josh didn't do that and that's a big difference in my mind. He let himself down, but he didn't walk out on his team and screw them over right before the season.
Plus, do we even know if Ricky went to rehab? He's probably still smoking marijuana.
from 2 months ago
Exactly, Justin. We can see the difference in Hamilton's life, and that's why it's so inspirational.
One other thing I wanted to address, and that was the comment about Hamilton being "allowed to essentially recover in hiding." That's simply because Hamilton was a virtual unknown. He hadn't accomplished anything in baseball yet, and we forgot about him. Ricky Williams, on the other hand, was one of the brightest stars in the NFL. Everyone knew who he was. The media circus that followed was inevitable.
2 months ago
Well done Casey! Kudos! It's great that you noted the glaring disparity.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for reading John! glad you liked it.
2 months ago
Fantastic article, I have often thought the same, its true, when people see ricky williams face, they immediately assume he smokes weeds (cuz hes black and has dredlocks sad but true dont deny it). However, when they see josh hamilton, they see who the star white athlete at their high schools will someday be. So when news comes out that Hamilton has come back from being addicted to heroine, its more of a good for you attitude. But for williams, its more of a yeah right, hes still a weirdo attitude.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Rohit! Glad you liked it. Good points.
from 2 months ago
That's bullshit. You can't lump an entire population into that basket. Stop it. Believe it or not there are some of us who don't know and don't care about either of them or their histories.
from 2 months ago
Learn to speak English.
from 2 months ago
Learn to speak English.
2 months ago
I think the difference here isn't black and white. The difference is that Williams quit on his team. There are plenty of athletes that smoke pot, but they are not vilified like Williams because they didn't hang their teammates out to dry.
from 2 months ago
Jordan, thank you for reading. However, I believe you should look further into the Josh Hamilton story. Hamilton absolutely and explicitly quit on his team, and let his team down. He left a team that spent a first overall pick on him. A team which handed him nearly $4 million before he swung a bat against elite competition.
Ricky Williams was on football's largest, most prestigious stage, and walked off. Hamilton, though his stage was smaller did exactly the same.
from 2 months ago
But the reason the media covered the stories differently is because of the grand stage Williams was on when he quit on his team. Obviously they're going to cover the story of one of the best players in football quitting on his team more than they would a guy who never played a major league game. If Williams was to return and regain his stature as one of the best in the game, I think he would be covered the same way Hamilton is being treated. But Williams has not overcome his drug problem to make a successful comeback. That's why the stories are being covered differently, not because of race.
2 months ago
Casey....I like where you are coming from, I think the media is biased in many respects, however, you need to keep things in perspective. A highly touted football player coming out of college will garner a trillion times more attention than a a highly touted player out of high school. Hamilton was the number 1 pick in baseball at 18 years old and number 1 picks in baseball drafts come and go eventually. So yes, he did drugs, did a lot of drugs, worked his life out and now is thriving. The main point here is that when he was doing his drugs the world wasn't watching. He was basically a no-name. So its MUCH harder to go back and condem a man as opposed to condeming him when its actually happening.....which brings us to the the Ricky Williams story.
Williams remember, quit the NFL because he was sick and tired of the violence, the injuries and not being able to chill out and smoke some weed when he damn well pleased. He'an idiot. He was a player in the limelight and he made comments like that and quit. Its much harder to forgive that type of person.
Just my two cents
from 2 months ago
Thanks for reading David,
I noted that Hamilton was an obscure name to the average sports fan, however, his sins have been all but celebrated, while Williams has been crucified publicly. I absolutely feel that Ricky Williams should have been condemned for his actions, my issues are not with that. My issue is that Hamilton with a far more jaded past is celebrated.
Similarly, Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young, both former D-Rays have been followed by the stigma's they created, while Brett Myers, who drug his wife around the streets of Boston by her hair has been welcomed back into the MLB's forefront with open arms.
2 months ago
Great article. I think these discrepancies in media coverage need to be addressed more often. That's the only way we'll see true change.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Angel!
2 months ago
You really need to be careful and thoughtful before throwing around a word like "bigot" when referring to a person or group of people. There are differences aside from skin color in the cases of Josh Hamilton and Ricky Williams.
Ricky Williams has actually STATED on the record that he is NOT addicted to marijuana, but rather that he ENJOYS marijuana. He STATED that one of the primary reasons he retired in the first place was because he wanted to be able to smoke marijuana without fear of punishment. The NFL's drug policy undermined his personal desire to smoke weed without inhibition, so he retired. He SAID THESE THINGS. He has stated that he has been smoking marijuana essentially throughout his entire college & pro career, and that he used masking agents to pass his drug tests.
Now..you are free to believe what you want about marijuana and drug laws - I personally don't have a big deal with pot, and don't care if people I know smoke it. But you can't sit here and write some woe-is-me sob story about Ricky Williams' "addiction" without knowing what the hell you're talking about and expect us to swallow it - especially when you resort to name-calling using terms like "bigot".
from 2 months ago
Hey Brandon, Thanks for reading!
I think that Williams clear justification of his self-medicating use of marijuana to treat his depression and anxiety, as well as his clear disregard for the consequences his marijuana use would bring are greater signs of addiction than anything the atypical Williams could say.
Personally, while I don't smoke marijuana, I am pro legalization. However, like you, I'm a huge proponent for the idea that you must conform to the laws of where you live, or the rules where you work. As I stated in a previous comment, I believe Ricky deserved every criticism he received, but Hamilton's addiction and subsequent recovery has been celebrated, while Williams' has been mocked.
Here's something else Ricky Williams said:
The real reason he left, he told 60 Minutes, was to avoid the public humiliation over news that he had just failed a drug test, his third failed drug test.
"All right," Williams said. "Here's what happened, OK? The thing that I had the most trouble with was that after — after you fail your, your third test then it becomes public knowledge that, that you failed the test. And that's the one thing that I couldn't deal with at the time: People knowing that I smoke marijuana."
The problem with failing his third NFL drug test was that it would be made public.
"That was my biggest fear in my whole entire life," the athlete responded. "I was scared to death of that."
from 2 months ago
So basically he retired to do illegal activities.
great guy.
from 2 months ago
Maybe I'm nuts here but it is worse to "retire" to do drugs and say so publicly or to just disappear into your own little world of heroin and crack, blow $4 million and hope no one misses you? You can call it a choice and say Williams was never addicted, but if you're giving up your livelihood so you can smoke pot, then I think addiction might have something to do with it. Williams is villified because he "made a choice" and Hamilton "had an addiction," but when you're talking about people doing drugs over earning a living, where do you draw the distinction? Hamilton is baseball's golden boy because he managed to do all the nasty stuff and still come back in his prime with room to grow - in large part because baseball players have a later retirement age than most football players. If Ricky Williams had his marijuana problems in college and then returned to walk onto an NFL team 3 years later in his prime, this argument would be moot. The fact that he walked out on a lucrative career only shows me that he really did have a problem.
2 months ago
I like the article, the main difference is that Ricky Williams has been give several 2nd chances and we have yet to see him 'fully' recovered, every time he says he is clean he just fails another test. Williams treated the NFL drug policy like it was the problem. The other thing about Josh Hamliton story is that he got back to even ground from drugs that normally you can get back from. Crack-cociane and herione pretty much rule your life then kill you, and the rob a good portion of your life. The reason people are latching on to this story is because its very "The Natural"-esk. The fact that he sunk as low as a person can go and pulled himself up is pretty impressive. I think he might get more attention because he is white, but comparing him to Ricky Williams doesn't really work.
Also your point about weed being the "blackman's drug", try the college kid's drug. I think the other reason people don't take Williams seriously is that they either know someone or was that someone in College who smoked weed and to them its like seems just dumb if you can't lay it down for a little while to make millions of dollars.
from 2 months ago
I would like to mention that smoking marijuana does not help to treat anxiety and depression, it not only causes it, but it worsens the symptoms in most cases. The reason why Ricky is labeled as a "bad" athlete is because he doesn't care about quiting. Weed is part of his life, and to be honest with you, I could care less. However, the reason why he is frowned upon while Josh Hamilton is not is because Ricky will always smoke weed. It's part of his life, simple as that. Hamilton on the other hand no longer injects and has actually made it out of his addiction.
Also, lets not forget that marijuana is a completely different drug than heroine. Anybody can quit marijuana while most people who do heroine become junkies for life until it kills them. There are problems in the media with race, but this is not one of them.
Last point: I really enjoy the constant "I don't smoke marijuana, but had a friend who did..." Yeah, I bet.
from 2 months ago
"I would like to mention that smoking marijuana does not help to treat anxiety and depression, it not only causes it, but it worsens the symptoms in most cases."
Thanks for the input, doctor.
2 months ago
His disregard for the consequences of smoking dope? The guy admittedly used masking agents to pass drug tests throughout his football career. That demonstrates a clear *regard* for the consequences. He was fully aware of them and did not want to face the consequences - thus, instead of ceasing his drug use, he resorted to masking agents. That was his choice - I don't have a problem with the man smoking weed. I have a problem with the implication that the Ricky Williams doesn't get the same coverage as Josh Hamilton because he's black. It's 100% foolish and unfounded. By all accounts, Williams is/was a drug user by choice. It's too bad for him that marijuana gets such a bad rap in this country, because it sounds like it really helps him. But the premise of your piece - (a) that Ricky Williams' and Josh Hamilton's stories are essentially the same, and (b) that the coverage of Ricky is racially-driven - are completely preposterous.
As far as quoting him from 60 Minutes........umm, so what? Was this in reaction to something I said earlier? It doesn't really tell me anything at all. It doesn't in any way "prove" or "disprove" that he's addicted to drugs - and it doesn't in any way prove or disprove that the media is bigoted. If anything, it proves to me that he was a very naive young man to think that by retiring he would avoid having the results of his drug test publicized.
2 months ago
Josh Hamilton is being celebrated for his tremendous season and his overcoming addiction. Ricky Williams chose his path, conscienciously quit on his team. No comparison, no bigotry.
And don't give me Brett Myers, he took a "beating" in the Philly press after that incident last year. Please stick to what you know.
2 months ago
Ricky Williams chose to smoke weed. But Josh Hamilton also chose to do crack. It wasn't forced upon him. Just like Ricky, he consciously chose to do drugs.
And it can be argued that Brett Myers received a different treatment from the media. Evidence: I live in a small town in Missouri, and in the past I was not a real close follower of baseball. Therefore, for most baseball stories to reach me, they had to be big enough to leak into the evening news or a cable news channel. I am well aware of Elijah Dukes and his actions because they were reported on enough to reach me. I had to look up Brett Myers this morning because I had no idea what he did. So while he may have taken a hit from the local media, on a national level, he did not get the attention that Elijah Dukes did.
from 2 months ago
Nobody said Hamilton didn't choose to smoke crack. Hamilton made the bad decision to start using drugs, and developed a disease (addiction) - he has thus far conquered his disease and deserves recognition for that. Ricky Williams is not an addict, and has never shown any desire to stop choosing to smoke marijuana.
from 2 months ago
Jeff Thanks for reading.
Quite frankly though, your logic is more akin to that of Bob Saget in Half Baked, rather than one of an educated background on addiction.
Merriam-Webster's definition of addiction
1: the quality or state of being addicted
2: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful
Merriam-Webster's definition of addicted/addict
1 : to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively
2 : to cause addiction to a substance in (a person or animal)
One does not need to admit to being an addict to be one. In fact, a commonly known and accepted characteristic of full-blown addicts is denial of addiction.
To be fair, on top of Williams addiction to marijuana, he was also a victim of depression and social anxiety disorders, two psychological diseases.
from 2 months ago
So I guess reading a dictionary passes as education these days. That's all fine and good. Arguing over whether or not Ricky is, according to Webster, an "addict" would be endless and pointless and would basically be an argument over semantics. I deny being addicted to pot. I've smoked pot. So does that mean I'm actually an addict in denial? One thing about addicts is that they typically express a desire to quit forever. Ricky, contrarily, has frequently expressed his desire to continue smoking pot. And whose to say Ricky is habitually using a substance known to be harmful when by most accounts, the substance is helpful to him?
from 2 months ago
I don't know that Marijuana addicts do that. Believe me, I've got my own history with pot, I've smoked it, and no longer do. However, not once have I met a habitual user who desires to quite for life. In fact, I'd argue that one of the major reasons why people who habitually smoke weed end up quitting is because in some facet of their life they will be subject to drug tests.
I've studied addiction, and read several pieces by experts, however, I wouldn't consider myself an expert on addiction.
Claiming that marijuana is good, or has been good for Ricky Williams is an absolute fallacy. A good majority of his current stress and poor public image can be directly attributed to marijuana, and despite his non-materialistic beliefs, it certainly hasn't helped his pocket-book. Though Williams claims to have successfully treated his depression using marijuana, the fact is that marijuana has been well documented as a depressant and a substance which causes depression in many of its users.
2 months ago
I enjoyed the article alot...i been tellin you this for a long time black atheles are sometimes looked at different from white ones
from 2 months ago
Haha, You joined the site. You should write some stuff on here man. I'll edit it for you if you want. Call me today bro.
2 months ago
Jason Whitlock would love this article, lol. I think a big problem with the black athlete, is that they allow themselves to fit in with the stereotypes that the media portrays. I think this is soon to change. Managers, GM's, owners and the league offices are starting to crack down on off field incidents. I am not going to say that it is just black athletes, the players come from many different ethnic backgrounds. Though, I think it is safe to say that a good portion of the athletes in trouble with the law are black. Once again, not all.
With the league offices cracking down, I think there is a breaking point that could be breached very soon. First by individuals, and then later collectively. It is human nature to want to "better" yourself, but without guidance and a spotter, it is often hard. The start could be with Hamilton, Williams, Pac Man or anybody for that matter. What they need to start doing though, is lending a hand to each other. A lot of these players are young when they get in trouble, now that these guys are older and more mature, they need to mentor the younger guys.
While black athletes get a bad rap. I always give them credit here; name 5 famous serial killers... how many of them are white? I would bet atleast 4.
2 months ago
Great article! I didn't even think of Ricky Williams when the media was playing up the Josh Hamilton story.
from 2 months ago
Hey Lawrence,
I'm glad you liked it, thanks for reading it!
2 months ago
I completely disagree with you regarding Williams but I do believe there is a certain type of bias that exists. I just don't think this is an instance of it.
Believe me, if Williams wins the rushing title and makes it to the Pro Bowl there will be just as many stories. Why should we care yet when Williams hasn't done anything worth touting? Hamilton not only cleaned himself up but he is a triple crown candidate. He's got 25 more RBIs than the guy that's second.
Hamilton went from the lowest of lows to quite possibly the top of the mountain. Did you see the way his contemporaries gathered around him after he hit the 28 home runs?
Ricky Williams is an eccentric personality. He never lived up to the hype. Hamilton is living up to the hype. Hamilton's story has a beginning (number one pick in the draft), middle (hit rock bottom) and right now he's working on the ending.
What's Williams' story? Number one pick to overrated bust to retired stoner living in the mountains doing yoga who returns to the NFL because he's broke.
I was talking with my buddy the other day and trying to figure out which sports stories from our lifetime will one day be movies. The only ones I could think of were Kurt Warner (grocery store bagger and arena league QB who marries older woman with retarded kid and wins the MVP!) and Josh Hamilton.
I totally believe that black QBs are held to a different standard. I also believe that a white guy who sprains his ankle running out a ground ball is called "scrappy" while his black counterpart is called "injury-prone".
I just don't believe there is any bias in this story at all. Let me know if the media ignores the story if Williams rushes for 2,000 yards or wins the rushing title.
from 2 months ago
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for reading it.
To expand on your second-to-last paragraph, I was at a journalism conference earlier this year and went to a seminar on sports writing. There was this old, crotchety, life-hating guy with a handlebar mustache who said nothing worth listening to but this. Black players are regularly characterized as "athletic" while white players are frequently described as "fundamentally sound." I found this interesting, because they are disparaging perpetuation of stereotypes that "white men can't jump" and "black men are all athletes"
from 2 months ago
You didn't answer any of my questions. What has Ricky Williams done that deserves any recognition?
from 2 months ago
Your argument is valid, I don't know what you want me to say. Williams, like Hamilton, had his 2007 campaign cut short by an injury. Granted, Williams season was cut much shorter. Williams 2008 season has yet to begin, but I highly doubt that any amount of success will be able to reverse the demons that Williams has had to face in the public spotlight, similar to the ones that Hamilton had the luxury of defeating in essentially complete obscurity.
from 2 months ago
You should have used the word "biased" instead of "bigoted". My problem is that when we cry racism, or in this case bigotry, when it doesn't exist then it creates a "boy who cried wolf" epidemic where people stop paying attention and ignore real racism or bigotry when it occurs.
You should have waited until the NFL season ended before writing something like this. You never gave the media a chance.
You could have written an article about whether or not the media will show the same love to Williams, if he succeeds, as they've shown to Hamilton. You're attacking the media for something they haven't done instead of providing instances of things they have.
Interesting topic. I just think you went about it irresponsibly. I'm only saying it because I think you've got talent. You just need to put a little more thought into your premise before putting pen to paper.
Good luck, Casey.
from 2 months ago
Thank you Andrew,
I appreciate your advice, and again, thank you for reading it. I obviously disagree with your opinion, but I respect it because it is well thought out and well-worded. I understand what you are saying, and as I said before, it a valid thought if not a correct one.
I hope you check out more of my stuff, and I look forward to hearing your opinion of it.
from 2 months ago
I understand that you disagree but you've yet to provide me with anything that Ricky Williams has done that rivals that of Josh Hamilton. You're saying that the media is ignoring Williams story because he's black and I'm asking you what exactly they've ignored. The only thing Williams has done is agreed to give up pot and been reinstated.
There's a pitcher named Jeff Allison that's in the Marlins' organization. He was addicted to OxyContin and he's using Hamilton's story to inspire him. His story has received a lot of media attention in Boston where he actually has his own special section on Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/news/specials/jeff_allison/).
Why hasn't Allison received the national attention that Hamilton has received? Is it because he's not as white as Hamilton. No, it's because he, like Williams, hasn't done anything worth recognition...yet.
Let me ask you a question: do you think that Brett Favre's decision to play another season has received more attention than any of Michael Jordan's comebacks? If you're answer is "yes" than you're fooling yourself.
2 months ago
I am going to just watch this particuliar race-religion debate slide right by.
If Rickey Williams gets traded to another team or sonehow also leads the dolphins to Super Bowl, then he becomes Josh Hamilton.
If Josh Hamilton has a relapse and quits on his team he will become Ricky Williams.
The media hungry machine will glorify or crucify depending on the number of $$$ it can generate.
The biggest difference between the two is just the frequency and spacing of drug convitions.
I would like them both to do very well
2 months ago
I am going to just watch this particuliar race-religion debate slide right by.
If Rickey Williams gets traded to another team or sonehow also leads the dolphins to Super Bowl, then he becomes Josh Hamilton.
If Josh Hamilton has a relapse and quits on his team he will become Ricky Williams.
The media hungry machine will glorify or crucify depending on the number of $$$ it can generate.
The biggest difference between the two is just the frequency and spacing of drug convitions.
I would like them both to do very well
2 months ago
While I enjoyed your article, I can't say that I really agree with it.
As others have stated, Ricky Williams was a highly publicized draft pick that the Saints spent all their picks (and a ton of money) on. He went from being arguably one of the biggest shining stars in the NFL to being largely publicized of a pothead because of a choice he made. Similarly, there was an article written not too long ago on ESPN of Josh Hamilton, where they discussed the enormous amount of heckling thrown his way in due to his cocaine addiction.
Last, but not least, in popular culture, potheads are something Americans largely make fun of and still associate with the Generation X slacker culture. With harder drugs, particularly when someone's life spirals out of control as in the case of Josh Hamilton, it certainly makes for one hell of a story should they ever turn themselves around.
If Ricky Williams manages to put up good numbers again anytime in the future, I'll bet people will be in his corner again, but I doubt very seriously if it has much to do with race.
2 months ago
YOU NAILED IT MY MAN!!!!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Ron, thank you for reading it!
2 months ago
It's an interesting story, although, if you want to know why one is looked on more favorably than the other, you simply have to look at where both players now sit.
Hamilton, as mentioned, is now playing in the majors, just got done with the all star break, and for a while, was mentioned as a triple crown candidate.
Williams, in his entire career, was derailed several times, and has yet to come back with a fire. His last effort to play professionally, in canada, resulted in injury, if I remember right. William's track record also had him not only quitting the team, getting in trouble for substance abuse, but as well, acting as if the rules simply did not apply.
If Williams can turn the trick, and come back and be effective, he might serve the dolphins for draft picks, or a good 1-2 combo with Brown, but I don't think he'll get anywhere near his former glory.
2 months ago
Would I be out of place here to say the comparison should be more between Ricky Williams and Daryl Strawberry? Or would Straw's continued use of drugs be more comparable to Hamilton?
The difference I see is this. Both started at the top as draft picks. Hamilton went downhill, much farther, much faster, and was out for several years.
Williams went downhill, but more willingly, just skirting the bounds of legality and acceptance.
I would suggest at no time did Hamilton tout his drug use publicly, nor talk of a desire to be able to use as wanted. His would be more of an addiction. Williams seemingly had no issue with people knowing what his desires were, and thus was making a conscious decision to use drugs at his leisure.
I don't much have any respect for drug users, period. But I can respect those that have found a way to get clean and turn their lives around.
When Ricky Williams gets his crap together and shows a performance equal to that of Hamilton, then the media's coverage will be subject to discussion. At this point, Ham is a story and Ricky isn't.
2 months ago
Casey great article, I've been waiting for someone to write about this topic...I agree completely, and it's bad how the media portrays things and unfortunately how much it has an effect on society...to Hamilton's credit, he came back in his prime a monster while Ricky Williams came back mediocre...but the point stands for me...oh, and Rick Ankiel is my boy, I'm glad the media left him alone...
from 2 months ago
In Ricky Williams defense, he came back at the age of 30, despite being drafted the same year.
30 is the "beginning of the end" for runningbacks in the NFL, which is a completely different game than baseball.
While Williams is being characterized as a quitter, he took a single season off of football, while Hamilton took four off of baseball. Who is the real quitter?
A comparison of Williams today compared to Hamilton today, in a sport where Hamilton can probably play well into his 30's, is absolutely unfair and a perpetuation of the exact attitude I've described in the article.
2 months ago
Great Article. Well done.
2 months ago
Great article!
I think the one thing that separates Hamilton from Williams in my mind at least is the fact that Hamilton is out there helping young adults and kids with drug problems. He answers his own blog, he listens to parents outside the ballpark, speaks at schools and NONE of it was forced upon him with community service. I think that side of the Josh Hamilton story really separates him from Ricky. Williams never made a valiant effort to reach out to the drug community in a positive way. Josh is out spreading the word of recovery and although not my personal belief, God. He is openly thankful for his chance to play baseball again while Williams has always seemed like he was owed a chance to play again.
Another reason I think Hamilton is getting the good rap is because of the state of baseball. He's a feel good story when the sport needs it the most. Football already has its good role models with the Mannings and in a way Brady. Baseball needed Hamilton's story more than football needed Williams'. Sad but true. So in a way I guess I agree with you about the media, but I don't see this fully as racial. Just a matter of convience.
Either way, great article again. It was very nice to see someone come up with these points and express them. Although I do somewhat disagree with the racial thing, this did need to be said.
-JB
2 months ago
Hamilton wasn't "taking time off" and he never "quit" - first he was injured, then he was barred from the game for multiple years.
You're like the dorky white guy that so wants to be accepted by minorities as accepting and righteous that you rail against "bigotry" and "racial bias" where it doesn't exist - which doesn't make sense, because there are so many instances where it DOES exist...yet you choose to fabricate one.
Twelve thumbs down
2 months ago
Interesting article. This isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison, but close enough to make your argument. I wonder how different our perception of Ricky would be if he had chosen Christianity over Hinduism. I think more people dislike Ricky because so many of us believed in him and he let us down. Then when he did come back he simply wasn't as good as before. I don't think Ricky ever quite lived up to the hype, even before he went public with his addiction.
Another point I'd like to make is that people generally root for atheletes who are most like them. It's easier for us to relate and identify with them and we feel some sort of bond with them. That's natural and there's nothing wrong with that. The fact is that there are more white Christians in the US, and particularly the media, than there are black Hindus.
2 months ago
Great article- I thought of the fact that Williams was villified and Josh Hamilton made out to be the feel good story of the year when the media first took off with it...
That being said, I personally think the majority of people building up Hamilton are doing it because the media did it. The media can make or break a guy... case in point Williams/Hamilton.
I don't really think the average person thinks of it in a "Hamilton's a Christian so I'm gonna like him and shun Williams" sense...
I think people just think what they're told to think.... by the media.
But you made alot of really good points... once again, great article.
2 months ago
Absolutely loved this article.
I think you finally brought up a subject that has been thrown around a lot in the media, then actually backed it up with fact.
Instead of just saying "if it were a white player" like so many media analysts do, you actually used a situation with a white player to back up your opinion.
Great article keep up the good work!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Greg, I'm glad you liked it!
2 months ago
Bob, Jerry, John, Kristin, thank you for reading the article.
John- I completely understand where you are coming from, but is that not a form of at least partial bigotry? to choose to root for players like you? Whether subconscious or not?
Kristin- Speaking of subconscious, I truly believe many bigots and racists don't realize they are bigots or racist. I call it "old man racist" though it infects many young people also. I don't think people choose to dislike a black Hindu because he is a black Hindu, but rather it is instinctual.
Rick- While I'm not going to dignify your comment with a full response, I'd like to point out how you couched your own near-bigotry with seemingly tolerant statements. Also, seeing as this was the first thing you did upon joining, comment on my article, I'd like to welcome you to Bleacher Report.
2 months ago
Perhaps it's because Hamilton has a great smile and is cute?
2 months ago
I agree...I think people are bigots/racists without realizing it... which is sad. Depending on where you grow up geographically, I think it's a lot worse.. (cough cough...the south...)
from 2 months ago
Haha, you'd be surprised, I've never been to the south but even up here in the Northwest, we manage to have some people crawl out of the "backwoods." I live about 3 miles from a town where my high school team's center fielder, the only black baseball player at our school, was showered with racial slurs from (wait for it) the Future Farmers of America, who had a facility across the street from center field.
from 2 months ago
Guys, people are not bigots without realizing it, if hamilton was black, and he hit 28 home runs in the derby after coming back from a drug addiction, it would be a story, Ricky williams came back, he is no good, Hamilton is playing really well, and crushing it, thats why there is so much talk about him, his story is great, overcame to become an MLB all star, Williams isn't any where near pro bowl status, and he never will be, plus he keeps failing drug tests, everyone commenting on this article needs to think before they type. Nobody's racist for thinking what Hamilton has done far exceeds what Ricky Williams has done, don't ever accuse people of being racist because a mediocre pothead doesn't get as much attention as a cleaned up all star, they are two totally different athletes, that are at two totally different levels in their respected sports, has nothing to do with the color of their skin, and that goes for you to Casey, this whole article is bogus, now top that.
from 2 months ago
Guys, people are not bigots without realizing it, if hamilton was black, and he hit 28 home runs in the derby after coming back from a drug addiction, it would be a story, Ricky williams came back, he is no good, Hamilton is playing really well, and crushing it, thats why there is so much talk about him, his story is great, overcame to become an MLB all star, Williams isn't any where near pro bowl status, and he never will be, plus he keeps failing drug tests, everyone commenting on this article needs to think before they type. Nobody's racist for thinking what Hamilton has done far exceeds what Ricky Williams has done, don't ever accuse people of being racist because a mediocre pothead doesn't get as much attention as a cleaned up all star, they are two totally different athletes, that are at two totally different levels in their respected sports, has nothing to do with the color of their skin, and that goes for you to Casey, this whole article is bogus, now top that.
from 2 months ago
This could be off topic, but Patrick, you wrote a 99 world sentence followed by a 79 world sentence. Please don't do that.
Now, Williams and Hamilton have either failed the same amount of drug tests, or Williams has failed less. The last time Williams failed a drug test came less than five months after the last time Hamilton did drugs. (10-6-05, 2-20-06) Williams has done as much as Hamilton in his career, albeit not since his return. Hamilton continually messed up, and had his 30 game suspension become indefinite after undisclosed amounts of failed drug tests and lack of compliance with the terms of reinstatement.
"Sentences" like:
"Guys, people are not bigots without realizing it"
Followed by no information, just continued self-service and opinion are pointless.
"plus he keeps failing drug tests"
Depending on what tests you're referring to, thats either untrue, or no more severe than what Hamilton did.
2 months ago
Interesting discussion.
I just feel as though Ricky didn't view his smoking weed as a problem, and I completely understand. Ricky using marijuana did not affect his play or status, but as soon as it became public knowledge it became a problem because everyone looked down upon him. He became uncomfortable and was hurt by people's feelings about him. Like many people, I don't think there is anything wrong with weed until you start abusing it. Ricky was able to smoke weed and win the heisman trophy. Josh Hamilton could not use heroin and play baseball. The publics perception on weed is so distorted that some people consider ricky's drug use just as bad as hamiltons, and that is just simply not true. Josh Hamiltons life was hanging by a thread and he had to overcome that addiction. Ricky did not have to overcome anything, weed was in no way affecting his professional life, but the press and public were able to break him down until he felt unwanted and hated.
Two very very different situations in my mind.
2 months ago
Not to mention...how did Ricky spend his time away from the NFL? By touring with Lenny Kravitz and Ziggy Marley and climbing mountains and doing yoga and of course, smoking lots of pot - he even suited up for some CFL football where they don't care if you smoke pot - so he smoked more pot up there too!
Ricky doesn't seem to give a shit about football. If he didn't owe so much money to the Dolphins, we have no reason to believe he'd be playing right now.
2 months ago
Future Farmers of America?? Wow... well I'm going out a limb and saying their probably bitter from all the Farmer jokes that get thrown their way on a daily basis lol.
from 2 months ago
Haha, that's the least of their worries now, It's a town called Enumclaw, their far better known for something else now. I'll let you do your own research on that one though! You'll either laugh or be disgusted.
2 months ago
Josh Hamilton and Ricky Williams are not comparable. Ricky Williams was a star athlete making millions of dollars who made the decision to leave football. He was not held back by his addiction to marijuana. Josh Hamilton overcame an addiction that was responsible for nearly ruining his career. And if he didn't get over his addiction, he likely eventually would have found himself dead from the addiction or in jail. Ricky Williams was a guy who smoked marijuana - he stopped playing football because he lost the heart and determination to play. He hasn't overcome anything. IF he comes back, he comes back. And i agree with the point that why is it more impressive that Hamilton stumbled and got back up as compared to someone who never stumbled and is playing at the same level. The American Media and really sports fans in general are a forgiving society, who love to see athletes who legitimately overcome something, or fall down, and get themselves back up. The point about Hamilton, is that he had an addiction that affects many people, that ruins life. He was close to ruin, and not only got his life back on track, but then got his baseball career on track.
2 months ago
a little bit off topic- I'd trust a black Hindu over a white Christian any day of the week.
But one of the points I wanted to touch on was this- recovering from addiction to a narcotic such as Heroin is a pretty big battle itself, especially if you've got 4 million sitting in the bank to spend on the stuff. Where as 'recovering from marijuana addiction' is basically a joke in my eyes. There's no proven physically addictive properties to marijuana, only 'mental' addiction.
So from an addictive perspective, the Josh Hamilton story is a bit more admirable as far as 'overcoming' addiction.
Ricky Williams simply got caught smoking weed. When I hear a story about a professional athlete dropping dirty over some weed, I just laugh and think to myself "all you got to do is put it down for now, continue smoking when you retire. This isn't forever".
Ricky Williams looked like a bad guy in the media because he was being real to his beliefs. Marijuana use is a big part of the subculture within the NFL and NBA. Whether or not players abuse it during the season is beyond me, but given some of the interviews and things I've seen and the recent Josh Howard comments it seems evident to me a large number of these athletes were pot smokers growing up. So in the eyes of a guy like Ricky Williams, and probably in my eyes if I were in his position- I'd keep it real myself: "Okay. I smoked some weed. Big deal. If anything it would inhibit my abilities to play, but it doesn't. If this weren't made illegal by the federal government I wouldn't even be tested for it, and we wouldn't be at a press conference right now."
That being said, this is a good article and I enjoyed reading it.
What is unfortunate is the MLB tried to keep the whole Josh Hamilton thing under the radar, so he didn't have to deal with all the negative press over his having an addiction- but when he entered the Derby and did so well, it was like an added bonus to his story of being basically a nobody in the league to say "oh yeah, and I used to be a 130 pound junkie for those 3 seasons I wasn't here!"
and as far as the whole racism thing goes:
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/selectatest.html
check out some of these tests created by psychologists at Harvard that are supposed to measure implicit cognitive biasness that rest somewhere in one's mind in regard to all sorts of scenarios.
from 2 months ago
Thats awesome Justin, I'm going to check that out when I have time. I respect your points, though I disagree with some, obviously.
2 months ago
Ok so yeah... I laughed... lol. Wow... so yeah I'm guessing that's the sequel to Brokeback Mountain? haha. Brokeback Stable....
from 2 months ago
Haha ya, no more Enumclaw talk on here though, thats WAAAAAAAAYYYY off topic haha.
2 months ago
Yeah I was about to say... we're way off subject. lol. Ok my bad- let the discussion continue! :)
2 months ago
What about my comment that Josh is cute and has a cute smile? Sounds supercificial, silly, whatever, but is that not a factor?
from 2 months ago
With all due respect, I don't think that baseball or football's target demographic is concerned with Josh Hamilton's looks or smile.
2 months ago
Interesting debate going on, but nobody has made a single good point in regards to revealing the media's supposed "bigotry". It's really a shame that the word is still in the article title.
2 months ago
You''ll do well at Fox News. You've basically created your own news story by writing it.
As a pasty white recovered pot smoker, I hold no ill will towards Ricky whatsoever, I seriously doubt that millions of other pot smokers feel any animosity either, and I have paid no attention to Josh Hamilton's story because it is sooo passé when put in the historical perspective of addiction throughout the history of MLB. Hell, Babe Ruth was a drunk. Hamilton is a non-story.
The whole 'Headline Grabber' deal is about reader hits not racism. It's about keeping the fires of social injustice burning for tomorrow's morning edition.
I give you Steve Howe, I give you Shane Hmiel, I give you hundreds of white athletes pilloried for their addictions over the centuries and I give you Mercury Morris, Michael Irving and hundreds more as living proof that the black athlete can be celebrated for his recovery.
But keep at it, we need a distraction from the battle of Afghanistan, the depletion of oil reserves and the coming war over potable water.
As my black, republican, Dubya loving, business partner would say, "Jesse and Al would be proud'.
from 2 months ago
But...this was really well written. You do work like a pro, I'll give you that. It's 5 Starz piece.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for reading L.J. I'm running low on time, but I'd like to thank you. The fact that you essentially completely disagreed with me makes the follow-up comment one of the best compliments I've ever received.
2 months ago
1. Hamilton was addicted to crack/cocaine/alcohol - proven addictive substances that can cause death if used to excess. Comparing alcoholism and cocaine addiction to habitual marijuana use is as naive as it is offense to those that suffer from these clinical conditions.
2. Williams made the top level immediately and withdrew from the NFL voluntarily to travel and expand his mind (smoke copious amounts of weed abroad). Hamilton never made the top level while on drugs and was only able to capitalize on his talents once clean.
3. Hamilton took responsibillity for his actions and admits his mistakes freely. When was the last time Williams held a press conference to discuss his hash habit and how he's turned things around?
4. Steriods? In this era on "cleaning up baseball" - don't you think these results would have shown in his tri-weekly urine tests that MLB mandated once he was reinstated? Ask Rick Ankiel about HGH...
You bring up an interesting topic but fail to make a coherent presentation of your initial assumption. The is the proverbial apples to oranges comparison that hints at countering the opinion of the masses to draw attention to itself.
from 2 months ago
4. Steriods? In this era on "cleaning up baseball" - don't you think these results would have shown in his tri-weekly urine tests that MLB mandated once he was reinstated? Ask Rick Ankiel about HGH...
I expected this part to be the lightning rod. Thank you for finally bringing it up.
I mentioned that Ankiel went from Disney movie to demon after his implication and admission of HGH use. However, considering that HGH isn't testable by a UA, and that Hamilton spent four years doing drugs, many of which were previous to baseball's increased emphasis on steroids, its not out of the realm of possibility that during that time he took steroids. However, that implication was intended to set up the next line.
Thank you for being the first to notice that part.
from 2 months ago
"Of course, it’s irresponsible to speculate on something like that, especially if the player has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a firm belief in Jesus Christ, right?"
No, it's irresponsible to speculate on something like that, period. Especially if you want to be taken seriously as a credible writer.
You already had one strike against you, labeling people as bigots without providing any credible evidence. You're now approaching "shock jock" territory where you simply say things to manufacture outrage.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for your input Jeff!
from 2 months ago
You bet!
from 2 months ago
But they all are root addictions regardless of the chemical involved. Addictions center in the same cortex of the brain, just stashed in a different wrinkle...right? The consequences of a particular addiction are for another article...which you should write because you really have commented well on the subject.
And...I just re-listened to a Dan Patrick/Ricky Williams addiction interview that they re-play on every slow day and I have on a podcast. Sincere or not, Rickey has talked at least once in depth about the effects of his "conscience expansion" and the effect it's had on he and his family.
2 months ago
RE: With all due respect, I don't think that baseball or football's target demographic is concerned with Josh Hamilton's looks or smile.
Not true. Baseball is interested in hyping anyone who will be a star for whatever reason. ESPN is interested for the same reason. The media, who drive these personalities, want someone people will be interested in. People like better-looking people better. I'm not saying the guy's a supermodel, but he has an infectious expression to him. In life, that always matters, and people, no matter the demographic, are more sympathetic to people who they find more attractive.
from 2 months ago
I live in Seattle, I know what people think about A-Rod, and I'll tell you, his looks haven't helped anyone feel sorry for him. I'll respectfully disagree.
2 months ago
Very thought-provoking.
2 months ago