Ricky Williams retires. I was in Austin this summer doing an internship when this headline bombarded so many papers, especially the one where I was working, since Williams was a University of Texas standout.

The Miami Herald reported that Pro Bowl running back Ricky Williams retired from the NFL, leaving three unfulfilled years on his contract and his former team in a bind.

Williams had recently tested positive for marijuana use, and circumstantial evidence suggested that drug use may have been a motivating factor in the decision.

In talking to the Herald, Williams acknowledged prior marijuana use and implied that he would continue to use it after being out of the NFL.

Whether he failed drug tests or not isn't the issue. Williams didn't have the heart and still doesn't.

There was talk about Williams returning to the NFL, but if it were up to me, he wouldn't be allowed back. If you ask me, I couldn't care less about having a superstar player who plays for one thing -- him/herself.

How can someone with so much ability play as if he didn't care? Williams was able to do it. But the funny thing is, he's not the only one.

Too many players selfishly play for the fame and fortune without giving a darn about the game. There in lies the problem.

In many cases, it's not just the money that the athletes are playing for. Sometimes it's the stardom. And this happens to some of the best players out there. Alex Rodriguez and Allen Iverson, to name a few.

I wanted A-Rod in Texas just like the next Rangers fan. And I was happy that we added another talented player to the roster.

But isn't $252 million a bit extreme for one player? That move bit Rangers owner Tom Hicks in the butt, because A-Rod took his happy little self right on to New York.

And why you ask? More money! Can we say selfish?

As part of the trade, Texas will pay $67 of the $179 million in salary that Rodriguez is owed over the final seven years of his contract. That leaves the Yankees to pay an average of about $16 million per season.

In addition to the $112 million the Rangers would clear off their books, Texas estimated it would save more than $13 million in interest for salaries that are to be deferred.

Now that's just plain ludicrous or asinine as my late father would say.

What happened to the phrase: There's no "I" in team? Apparently too many caught on to there's "me."

Allen Iverson could score all the points he wants, but who really cares if the team isn't successful?

I'd rather have a player out there always soaking up more, rather than one who knows he is talented and in turn simply gives 90 percent.

And isn't that how it should be?

And I hate to do this, but I'm going to link last year's L.A. Lakers basketball team.

When the Lakers stacked their roster with Karl Malone and Gary Payton, they thought for sure a fourth NBA title in five years was next on the agenda. They were supposed to be the greatest team ever.

But after losing to the Detroit Pistons 4 - 1 in the finals and not quite reaching the goal they set, most of them reconsidered whether or not they would return to the team. Aww, poor L.A. Lakers. Get me a Kleenex.

We all want to be winners, but winning shouldn't just be granted.

Remember in "A League of Their Own" when Tom Hanks asks Gena Davis if she could just quit because she played like she loved it? The "it" being softball.

What made her come back to play that championship game? Heart!

And that's how it should be.

Amber Miles is a senior journalism major from Dallas and serves as editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to anmiles24@hotmail.com.