NEW YORK (April 25, 2006) -- Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams was suspended for the 2006 season by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy for the fourth time.
The league announced the suspension after Williams' appeal of a his latest positive drug test was denied. Williams met with NFL counsel Jeff Pash on April 10 in an attempt to have the league overturn the test.
Previous positive tests were for marijuana, which Williams acknowledged using. The latest test apparently involved a drug other than marijuana.
Williams retired and sat out the 2004 season, but returned last year to play for new Miami coach Nick Saban.
Before being allowed to return, Williams served a four-game suspension at the start of the season for his third violation of the drug program. He ran for 743 yards and averaged 4.4 yards a carry while sharing playing time with rookie Ronnie Brown.