Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams is profiled by Dan
LeBatard of the MIAMI HERALD, who writes that Williams "is
the kindest, most genuine athlete I have ever met." Jamey
Crimmins, Dir of Athlete Services for NJ-based ISI, which
handles Williams' marketing, said, "He can be the lead guy
for Generation Y. Michael Jordan can walk into any living
room in America, black or white, and be embraced, and Ricky
Williams can be that, too -- the guy who goes into America's
living room and starts playing with the kids." But LeBatard
writes that Williams' "Image People" think that signing
Percy "Master P" Miller as his agent "will soil Williams'
good name." LeBatard: "Why can't Williams' good name
improve Master P's instead, opening good doors for the both
of them?" Williams, on signing Master P: "It was all about
expanding my reach. It gives me credibility in an entirely
different community -- reaching black kids that I might not
reach with just sports. Kids are not going to listen to you
unless you are cool, and signing with Master P makes you
cool with those kids" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/18).
