I was an NFL legend and Heisman Trophy winner – now I have a VERY different day-to-day job away from the field
RICKY Williams used to plow through defenders on the field now he’s trying to use his platform to change the narrative around his new career.
The former 1998 Heisman Trophy winner has taken the name to a new level and opened up ‘Highsman,’ a multi-state cannabis lifestyle brand.
Williams attended the University of Texas and was a standout player for the program.
He was a two-time All-American, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner, and finished third in the NCAA Division I records for career rushing yards and all-purpose yards.
His strong play led the New Orleans Saints to select Williams in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
Williams played three seasons with the Saints before being traded to the Miami Dolphins.
He had his best season as a pro that following year, leading the league in rushing and making the pro bowl in 2002.
Williams was known for his unique personality and is on record about using cannabis during his playing career instead of painkillers.
He was suspended by the league four times.
“I was like, it’s stupid that I shouldn’t be able to do this when I’m playing this brutal sport,” Willams said in an interview with Marijuana Venture.
“So I walked away from the game.”
He retired for a year, returned in 2005, and played 12 games before receiving another suspension in 2006.
However, he expresses that cannabis helped him better understand himself, and he realized that perhaps “maybe being a football player isn’t the best thing for me.”
“And it gave me the courage to make different choices and live a life where when I’m creating something great,” he says.
“It’s actually making me feel better about myself.”
Williams officially retired in 2011 after playing a season with the Baltimore Ravens.
He played 11 seasons in the NFL and finished with 66 touchdowns and 10,009 rushing yards.
The 46-year-old presently runs a profitable cannabis company.
Williams launched Highsman in November 2021.
The brand is aimed at a sports crowd and features several sports-themed products.