Ricky Williams opted to retire on Tuesday after a fairly productive season as Ray Rice's backup in Baltimore. A text-message exchange with Bill Parcells helped Williams make the decision. Parcells wrote: "How you doing? I'm just checking up on you." "I had a great year," Williams texted back. "Body felt good. When I got to play, had a blast. Can't wait till next year." Parcells then texted: "That's good. Don't chase this thing too long. You can contribute in other ways." "It kind of opened my mind to allow the football part of myself to see the bigger picture," Williams said of the exchange.