'Run Ricky Run' Worth Seeing

[Lugnuts]

A buddy of mine scored me some tickets to Tribeca this weekend, and I saw some stinkers... but remembering our beloved former SportsJournalists.com contributor Jones and his piece on Ricky Williams living in the tent, I dragged my tired butt to 'Run Ricky Run' last night.

Wanted to give a heads up that there might be some news to come out of this one. Something was revealed that I had not seen or read anywhere, and frankly, it explains a lot.

I was also surprised to actually see Ricky at the screening because it must have been uncomfortable for him to watch. Anyway, he did discuss retirement in a Q & A session afterwards... says he's seriously considering medical school.

Anyway, I wanted to give a heads up that if you're going to see one of these 30-for 30s, this might be one you want to check out.

Airs tomorrow evening, I believe. Very good little film, by the way.... The filmmaker had pretty extraordinary access, even by today's 'reality TV' standards.

 

[gingerbread]

Don't leave us hanging, Luggy! What news came out of it? I've always had a soft spot for Ricky despite his many issues, and don't want to wait until I see the movie to know the spoiler.
Did Jones get a credit or have anything to do with the movie?

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Damn ...

http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2010/04/26/new-ricky-williams-documentary-explores-childhood-sexual-abuse/


Damn.

 

[Lugnuts]

Ginger, The write up that Evil posted does a good job of explaining, though, you really have to see the film to get how "chilling" it is. There is one interview in particular that is unreal.

I could be wrong, but I have never seen or read anything about it.

I just wish everyone could have been at the Q & A last night to see how truly lucid and together Williams appears to be at this point. He was affable, relaxed, succinct... his answers made much more sense than some of the questions asked, put it that way.

I don't want to give away the whole film, but the filmmaker follows Williams through those 6 or so "lost years," and something happens toward the end that convinces me he finally got help from some folks who knew what they were doing.

As for Jones, I did see a photo in the film that looked like it might have been from the now-famous Esquire story... but I forgot to look at the credits.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I thought this was a thread on the David Cross movie.

 

[MrWrite]

I thought this was a thread on the David Cross movie.

Sadly, that was my first thought, too.

That said, Run Ronnie Run is also worth seeing.

 

[BTExpress]

FWIW, this abuse "news" came out more than a month ago.

 

[Lugnuts]

Really? Ok - my bad. I wonder why it wasn't much of story. Do we just not care anymore, or was I just not paying attention?

Who came out with the story?

 

[BTExpress]

Here is where I first heard about it. Maybe there were some pre-screenings a few weeks ago.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-03-26/sports/sfl-ricky-williams-espn-documentary-032610_1_ricky-williams-sandy-williams-documentary

 

[Lugnuts]

Okay, so it was still this film that revealed the abuse.

The way news is made still baffles me.

An unknown hockey player in Canada reveals he was abused, and it's a big story. Ricky Williams-- a guy who has gotten more press throughout his career than ... certainly the average NFL player ... reveals he was abused by his own father, and it's not really a story.

I guess when something comes out as part of a documentary, the news media sees it in a different light. It wasn't even the lede in that link you posted.

 

[BTExpress]

One involved photos over a limited amount of time, and the charge was "sexually annoying". The other involved six years of twice-weekly molestation, threats if the kid spoke up and finally a sexual assault charge.

Parents have complete control over the former ("I would never do that"), but they do not have the same control over the latter ("Is my child's coach a decent person?").

All that plays into it, I guess.

 

[Gator]

I loved this one ... best one yet, and I've really liked all of them (with the exception of 'Silly Little Game'). What an interesting person with a different view on life. Just do much different than 99 percent of most professional athletes.

I thought the documentary was so revealing ... he was willing to show people who he was, warts and all. That was pretty brave, because I don't think many people would be willing to do that.

 

[Drip]

Ricky Williams loved to play football and smoke dope. That's the story. All that other crap of people trying to explain in his ways is, to me, crap.

 

[cwilson3]

Just watched it, great stuff. What an interesting guy.

 

[Mediator]

This was amazing. And I agree that I have rarely seen an athlete be so brave and introspective on film. And directing those in his life to be the same way. You would not dismiss him as a pot fiend after seeing this. Clearly he's been dealing with serious emotional problems. I was looking forward to this part of the 30 for 30 series, but I was unprepared for the wallop. Still feeling it a few days later.

 

[leo1]

i just saw it last night. it was terrific. still, my complaint is that it glossed over one major issue, which is how he went from not giving a **** about football to being motivated to take the beating and be in top shape physically and mentally upon his return. he is a fascinating person.

by the way, at the Q & A, did he get specific about his 'medical school' plans? my impression was that when he was playing doctor at the end of the film and talked about 'med school' he was referring to being an acupuncturist or new age quack or something, not a real m.d.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I also got the impression that he was not trying to become "a real MD"

I saw it over the weekend. Great stuff... He's definitely one of the most fascinating/intriguing athletes of my lifetime.

I've now seen five of the 30 for 30 movies. I've seen the Ricky Williams, the who killed the USFL, the Miami, the Len Bias and the Jimmy the Greek one and the Jimmy the Greek one was the only one I thought wasn't tremendous and even that wasn't too bad.

 

[fishwrapper]

Ricky Williams loved to play football and smoke dope. That's the story. All that other crap of people trying to explain in his ways is, to me, crap.

Did you mistakenly put down your optics for myopics?

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Ricky Williams loved to play football and smoke dope. That's the story. All that other crap of people trying to explain in his ways is, to me, crap.

Completely disagree. He's one of the most conflicted athletes of our time and while I'd never go as far as to say I understand or respect what Williams did, following the ups and downs of his career has been incredibly fascinating.

 

[FootballScribe]

I watched this four days ago and I still haven't come to a conclusion about who I think Ricky Williams is. I suppose maybe that's how it's supposed to be. As I watched I alternately thought he was a genius and a lunatic. I guess I'm convinced he's one of the most thoughtful and intelligent athletes of his generation. But I also am convinced he's bi-polar.