From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Best Expatriate Athlete

October 18 2006

Ricky Williams

We can understand the appeal of Canada to a quirky cat like Williams. After all, America's neighbors to the north are a bit more laid-back, spawning the likes of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, not to mention more-relaxed drug laws. Miami Dolphins running back Williams, you may recall, is serving a one-year suspension from the NFL, having violated the league's drug policy for the fourth time. Although concerned about possible injuries to his high-paid player, head coach Nick Saban reluctantly gave Williams permission to play for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League, with the proviso that he would return to the Dolphins in November. Williams, who still owes the Dolphins more than $8 million for reneging on his contract, has a financial incentive to return, as he's pulling in only $240,000 to play for the Argos. After learning Williams broke his left arm in July during the Argonauts' victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Saban reportedly gnashed his teeth so hard the sound traveled all the way up to Ottawa.