well, this was from espn.com. this guy never fails to make me laugh.

MIAMI -- The first sign of a change in Ricky Williams came when he returned from vacation in Australia last winter with a shaved head, the distinctive dreadlocks gone.

Insider's Randy Mueller, who as GM of the Saints traded Ricky Williams to the Dolphins, isn't shocked by Ricky's decision to walk away from the game, citing a history of "off-the-wall decisions."

Now he's gone, too. Williams has decided to retire at the peak of his career, stunning the Miami Dolphins and leaving an enormous void in their backfield less than a week before the start of training camp.

Williams, who rushed for 3,225 yards in two seasons with the Dolphins, phoned from Hawaii to inform coach Dave Wannstedt of his decision, then continued his travels by flying to Tokyo.

"He wants to get on with his life, wants to move on to bigger and better things," Miami Herald reporter and ESPN commentator Dan Le Batard told SportsCenter.

Former Vikings running back Robert Smith, who stunned Minnesota when he walked away from the game at age 28 after the 2000 season, told ESPN Radio on Sunday night Williams had spoken to him about retirement in June.

"Ricky told me back in June that he was going to retire after the season," Smith said on ESPN Radio's GameNight on Sunday. "I guess I'm a little bit surprised that he did it before the season, but he told me back then he was going to retire after the season.

"I didn't say anything to anybody. It's obviously something he didn't want quite leaking out."

According to the Herald's report, Williams wants to travel the world and is tired of the demands and restraints of a professional football career.

"I just don't want to be in this business anymore," Williams told the paper. "I was never strong enough to not play football, but I'm strong enough now. I've considered everything about this. Everyone has thrown every possible scenario at me about why I shouldn't do this, but they're in denial. I'm happy with my decision.

"I'm finally free. I can't remember ever being this happy."

Williams has always been a breakaway threat. But retirement at age 27?

and blah blah blah... it's quite a long story, so i'll spare you.

but in short... what a dumbass.