Ricky Williams Comments on Being Part of Spiritual Group 'Access Consciousness'

Former NFL running back Ricky Williams is downplaying any lingering concerns about his involvement with Access Consciousness, a controversial spiritual group headed by Gary Douglas.

Aaron Randle of Complex passed along comments Tuesday from the eccentric 39-year-old California native about his relationship with the group. The link first generated attention back in 2012, when Williams' foundation took in a $50,000 donation from Douglas.

The official site for Access Consciousness states it "offers pragmatic tools to change things in your life that you haven't been able to change until now." Craig Malisow of the Houston Press did a deep dive into the group in 2012, which utilized the phrase "Scientology knockoff" to describe the organization.

Williams isn't concerned with what other people think about Access, though. He explained to Complex those who aren't interested simply shouldn't take part:

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People that are on the fringe, that are doing things that are different, they [have] detractors. They say, 'This is the right way and the way that you're doing things is the wrong way.' To me that's judgment. So for me the people that don't like Access, it's not for them, so don't do it. The people that do, it's good stuff. So I think for each his own. We're all at different places in the journey and we all require different kinds of medicine. Be true to yourself, listen to your heart, and you'll be fine. Whether you do Access or not.

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Asked about the perception that he's crazy after a bizarre NFL career that featured multiple suspensions and retirements, he didn't shy away from the label.

"I am crazy!" he told Complex. "When you're doing something different and you live on the edge, people are always going to have some kind of reaction to it. But you just stay the course, and the reactions will subside."

Williams believes Access—and more specifically its "bars" class—completely changed his life. He wrote about the experience for the group's blog in 2013:

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The teacher from the bars class said something that stayed with me about "receiving." How our points of views can limit our ability to receive and how the bars could change that … if you let it. It all made sense, finally. From that day forth, my life has continued to expand into more that I ever thought it could be. Instead of trying to conquer or overcome anything, I'm enjoying it … even the stuff I'm not supposed to.

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His continued relationship with Access isn't the only reason Williams has made headlines as of late. Greg Rajan of the Houston Chronicle noted in May that the former standout running back had become a partner and spokesman for Power Plant Fitness, a "pot-friendly" gym set to open its doors this fall.

Williams, a 2015 inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame, last played in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens in 2011.