Ricky Williams could be making his return to the NFL and the Miami Dolphins, and workers at Heinz Field have already installed fresh grass for the occasion. Williams had been suspended from the league for a year and a half after violating the substance abuse policy numerous times, but was reinstated on Nov. 14. With the Dolphins winless at 0-10, it's not like it would hurt to have him on the field for a few snaps. In honor of his possible return, we give you 10 more sports comebacks we would love to see.
10. Shannon Sharpe. This guy should strap on a helmet again for the sole reason that he makes listening to football painful. The ex-wide receiver sounds like he is bobbing for apples every time he tries to mutter even the simplest bit of halftime commentary, and the camera filming him needs windshield wipers since he spits more than Sylvester Sam. It would be better for football fans everywhere if Sharpe put in a mouth guard to prevent the verbal vomit from spewing from his mouth every Sunday.
9. John Madden. Okay, so we already picked on Shannon Sharpe's commentating skills, but God knows Madden's are no better. Honestly, who needs John Madden muttering mind-blowing comments like, "I think the key to this game is that they score a lot of touchdowns?" If he knows so much about football, let him jump back into the offensive line and show us how it's done.
8. The Hartford Whalers. The Whalers were the love affair of Hartford throughout the '90s, and they broke the hearts of fans everywhere when they selfishly decided to move to Carolina and win the Stanley Cup. Sure, the Whalers might have been pitiful during their time in Hartford, but we could all use one more "Let's go Whalers" chant.
7. Pete Sampras. Clearly Sampras could still play tennis. He won the final match of a three-game series with the world's best, Roger Federer, and if he came back he could probably add to his record 14 Grand Slam victories. And frankly, tennis needs all the excitement it can get.
6. Rickey Henderson. Let's face it. Baseball can be pretty boring sometimes too, and that's why the game needs Rickey Henderson (not just as the Mets' first base coach). He may have been one of the greatest players of all time, but even more importantly, was the greatest quoter ever. Before Manny being Manny, there was Rickey being Rickey.
5. Rocky Balboa. Rocky clearly still has the capability to be in the ring. His latest battle, with Mason 'The Line' Dixon, showed it. The man has probably unretired more times than anyone in sports, but he still has a lot to accomplish in the world of boxing. Let's see him face a gorilla or eight midgets or even one of these Mixed Martial Arts guys. Or better yet, just put him in the ring with Mike Tyson. It's like a mix of all three.
4. Shawn Kemp. Kemp was one of the NBA's best before eating his way out of the league in 2003. Though Kemp has battled cocaine and alcohol abuse, as well as fathering seven children with six different women, over the years, he has been adamant in recent years about making a comeback. And hey - if Travis Henry can play for the Broncos, why can't the "Reign Man" come back?
3. Michael Vick. Vick probably doesn't deserve to come back, but that doesn't matter. As the former Falcons quarterback sits in a Virginia jailhouse, we can all anticipate what a possible Vick comeback would be like. The possibilities are endless, but needless to say, at least one PETA protestor would probably be killed.
2. Michael Jordan. Who didn't love MJ? He was the paragon of sports superstars, and the stereotypical Wheaties box athlete. The world of sports would be better off if next year our hero were to rejoin us ... by signing a one year contract with the Boston Red Sox. The Sox are giving the 40-year-old Curt Schilling as much as $14 million this year just because of some bloody sock incident. Can't Theo give Jordan around $10 million to strike out a few times in Pawtucket?
1. Dan Marino. The Marino era was heaven for Dolphins fans. The 'Phins did not have a losing season while Marino held the reins, and the Hall of Fame quarterback led his team to Super Bowl XIX. Just look at the Dolphins now. Maybe if Marino and Ricky Williams come back together, Miami can actually win a game and avoid being the butt of countless jokes for years to come. Maybe.
