April 22, 2010
Texas' 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams' NFL career is still going strong 11 years after he helped Mack Brown revitalize the program with a 9-3 record and No. 15 ranking. After a 4-7 season in 1997, Williams elected to pass on the NFL and return for his senior season, rushing for 2,124 yards and breaking the NCAA all-time rushing record in the process. In Brown's first year with the Horns, Williams helped Texas cap the season with a 38-11 win over Mississippi State in the Cotton Bowl and jumpstart a program that had suffered six non winning seasons in the previous 12 years.
Now, more than a decade later, Williams is coming off a season where he led the Miami Dolphins with 1,121 yards on 241 carries (4.7 ypc) and 11 TDs. He also caught 35 passes for 264 yards and two more TDs. A thousand-yard season is a milestone for any back, but what Williams accomplished was a rarity, becoming only the seventh running back in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season in which he was 32 or older at the start of the season.
The ups and downs of his career have been documented but you don't have to look far to see the production. Five 1,000-yard seasons and 8,892 career rushing yards and 62 TDS. All totaled, 11,274 yards from scrimmage and 69 scores.
Now Williams’ rollercoaster ride through the NFL will be featured in an upcoming ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary, "Run Ricky Run." Williams also will be making a special trip to Austin host a reception and question and answer session around a private screening of the documentary on Friday, April 30th, at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (1800 North Congress Avenue).
"I always enjoy getting back to Austin and seeing all of the great Texas fans," Williams said. "They've been so supportive of me, and I've shared so many great memories with them. I'm really looking forward to the event next week."
The event will kickoff with a 7 p.m. VIP Reception followed by the 8 p.m. screening and concludes with a post-screening question and answer session with Williams. Proceeds from the event will support the Ricky Williams Foundation.
There are only 180 tickets available for the exclusive event. A $100 donation includes access to a private reception prior to the event while a $40 donation provides access to the screening and question and answer session with Williams. To purchase tickets call 954-850-3434 or email RickyWilliamsFoundation@gmail.com. For more information go to RickyWilliamsFoundation.com.
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