NFL rushing champion and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams is ready to tell his story in his own words

NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams is ready to tell his Heisman Trophy winner story.

Williams’ memoir, The Long Run, will be released October 7 through Listenin. Pre-orders are available now.

The former NFL star announced the book in an exclusive interview with Men’s Journal, where he discussed the challenges of writing the memoir, his decision to leave professional football at the height of his career, his experience with social anxiety and his continuing search for an identity beyond sports. The interview also featured the book’s exclusive cover reveal.

A Football Career Defined by Success and Scrutiny

Long before he became known for following an unconventional path, Williams was one of the most accomplished players in college football history.

At the University of Texas, he broke 21 NCAA records and received the 64th Heisman Trophy. His record-setting college career made him one of the most celebrated prospects entering the 1999 NFL Draft.

Williams went on to become one of professional football’s most dynamic running backs. His success on the field, however, came with intense public attention and expectations that followed him throughout his career. In 2004, Williams stunned the sports world by stepping away from the NFL. The decision became one of the defining moments of his public life and was later examined in ESPN’s acclaimed 30 for 30 documentary, Run Ricky Run. Now, more than two decades later, Williams is sharing the complete story behind that choice.

More Than a Sports Memoir

The Long Run explores Williams’ journey from a gifted young athlete in San Diego to college football stardom and success in the NFL. It also examines the private struggles that existed alongside his public achievements.

Through reflections on fame, mental health, spirituality, identity and public scrutiny, Williams describes what it was like to achieve the kind of success many people dream about—only to realize that it did not provide the purpose or fulfillment he was seeking.

“For so much of my life, I’ve been searching and seeking. I finally reached a point where I felt like I’d found something worth sharing,” Williams said.

“This book is my chance to tell my story in my own words—not just what happened, but what it all meant. My hope is that readers walk away with the courage to define success for themselves, not by someone else’s expectations.”

Rather than focusing solely on football, the memoir follows Williams as he reconsiders what it means to live a successful and meaningful life. It presents his evolution from record-breaking athlete to entrepreneur, advocate, teacher and lifelong seeker.

Building a Life Beyond the NFL

Since leaving professional football, Williams has continued to pursue interests that extend far beyond sports.

He is a cannabis advocate and the co-founder of Highsman, a cannabis and lifestyle company built around the idea of helping people “spark greatness.”

Williams is also an astrologer, teacher and self-taught software developer. As CEO and co-founder of Lila Labs, he is helping develop astrology-based technology designed to support self-discovery.

These pursuits reflect many of the themes at the heart of The Long Run: curiosity, transformation and the willingness to define one’s identity independently of public expectations.

Part sports memoir and part meditation on finding purpose, The Long Run offers a personal look at one of football’s most talented—and frequently misunderstood—figures. Williams’ stories ultimately asks readers to consider whether success is something society can define for them or something they must discover for themselves.

The Long Run will be published October 7 by Listenin.