NFL Player Looks to Judaism

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footballSammy Hudes reports: After a disappointing season in which his Miami Dolphins failed to qualify for the NFL playoffs for the second straight year, Ricky Williams appears to be taking comfort in his latest interest.

According to an interview conducted by South Florida radio station, WQAM-560, the 33-year-old running back has recently been learning about the Jewish faith.

Williams began by studying the Jewish alphabet, and is currently interested in the Jewish Shabbat, Judaism’s weekly holy day.

Williams noted that prior to Miami’s final home game of the season, a 34-27 loss to the Detroit Lions on December 26, 2010, he even made an effort to observe the holiness of Shabbat. Asked if he was actually able to fully observe Shabbat that day, Williams responded “to a certain extent.”

“I had to go to the hotel on Saturday, but I didn’t watch television. I opened the Bible and I read.” Prior to the commencement of Shabbat the previous night, Williams says he also used his hot tub as a mikveh.

“In my reading, I read that (Shabbat) starts at sundown on Friday, and that right before sundown, (a Jew) traditionally takes a bath. So I went outside in the hot tub. It wasn’t on, so it was cold. And I jumped in the hot tub and dipped three times.”

Williams began his professional career with the New Orleans Saints, after being drafted fifth overall in 1999. After three seasons with the Saints, the 5-foot-10, 230 pounder from San Diego, California was then traded to Miami, where he has achieved some of his best statistics.

In 2004, Williams prematurely retired from football, after a third drug policy violation. He returned to the Dolphins in 2005, however, and played out that NFL season following a suspension.

During the offseason of that year, Williams again violated the NFL drug policy and was suspended for the entire 2006 season. With the permission of the Dolphins, Williams spent 2006 playing for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, before being reinstated by the NFL.

He has been back with the Dolphins since 2007, and has been attempting to rid himself of a marijuana addiction. Williams closed out the 2010 season with a total of 814 yards and a mere three touchdowns for the Dolphins. The disgruntled running back has reportedly expressed interest in being traded out of Miami in the upcoming offseason.

Until then, Williams remains open-minded as he explores various Jewish customs and laws. According to Williams, his first real Shabbat experience appealed to his inner-spirituality. “When the day shifted from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night, even my thoughts shifted,” he recalled. “There was something very pure about that Saturday.”

{Shalom Life/Matzav.com}


6 COMMENTS

  1. So a ganja smoking rasta man takes a bath before a sabbath he is not supposed to observe anyway, when he reads his (undoubtedly christian version of the) bible.

    While this may be a cute “human interest” story appropriate for Jpost, “The Forward” or a certain other so-called frum web news site, I have to say that I find it inappropriate HERE.

  2. What’s wrong with it? It’s about a football player exploring Judaism. People who are just learning about Judaism often make mistakes like he is making, even if they’re sincere. It’s a lack of knowledge, not a lack of respect. It’s possible he doesn’t really have anyone to learn about it from properly, either.

    I personally found it heartwarming.

  3. I think this is a very strong indication of what some of the non jews may be feeling in their lives. I do not think this is an inappropriate venue and we should be aware of other peoples sentiments regarding the Jewish people. Especially a high profile football player. I am glad you posted it. I do not read the foward.

  4. Toras-
    My friend, you are an extremist and hold extreme views. I am well aware of your antipsychiatry banter as well as your sine qua non anti zionist rhetoric. Your voice is not the voice of our people in this day and age.

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