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Posted on 05/26/2005 11:28:12 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) Former NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich was arrested for investigation of violating his probation after being found in a public bathroom with apparent drug paraphernalia.
Marinovich, who has acknowledged that drug addiction derailed his once-promising football career, was being held in an Orange County jail pending a drug court hearing scheduled for next week.
A police officer found Marinovich in the bathroom May 20 with a bent spoon and syringe. The former quarterback fled on a bicycle but was arrested 15 blocks away, police said. On the police report, he listed his occupation as "unemployed artist."
Marinovich, who lives in Balboa, was first arrested on drug charges when he was a student at the University of Southern California. He earned nearly $2.3 million as a first-round draft pick of the then-Los Angeles Raiders in 1991, but was removed from the roster after two seasons due to his drug problem.
He later played football in Canada and the Arena Football League. He was arrested on drug charges in 1997, 2001 and last August. In last year's arrest, he was caught skateboarding in a prohibited area carrying methamphetamine and three syringes, police said.
He pleaded guilty to those charges and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years' probation.
His self destructiion is so sad, so very sad. What a waste !
No, no, NO, Todd.
Oakland is where football careers go to DIE.
A little pot never hurt anyone! /sarcasm
Anyone recall the SI article on this guy when he was in high school? He was being 'groomed' to be a pro QB, and he wasn't allowed to have soft drinks, any refined sugars, caffeine, etc. Looks like when he got to a point where he could make the decision himself, he wasn't denied anything at all.
From million dollar draft pick to fleeing on a bicycle. Yowsa.
This guy's the Steve Howe/Bob Probert/DarrylStrawberry of football.
His dad did all the grooming.
Doesn't this loser even have an apartment?
I think Marinovich was one of those kids who had one of those "insane sports fathers."
Yes, I remember that. His dad controlled his every waking moment. Would not let him eat a Big Mac. I remember wondering whether the dad's experiment would work and whether this guy would grow up to be a great NFL player. I guess not.
In last year's arrest, he was caught skateboarding in a prohibited area carrying methamphetamine and three syringes, police said.
Bicycle? Skateboard? Well, at least he's still getting plenty of exercise....
At this point he is just pathetic, I cannot even muster enough outrage or sarcasm to mock him. People this messed up are a shame and a waste.
I don't know. Ask "pop" star George Michael.
See the earlier thread on California housing costs. Even $2.3 million will go only so far...
So sad.......
Reminds me of Art Schlicter (sp). He had a gambling problem and threw away a football career, too.
Yeah, I guess he was liquifying and injecting his pot.
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A wasted life. Even the Raiders got tired of him, and that's saying something.
Not exactly, those guys at least did something before throwing it away.
This loser doesn't even have that, he was a "never was", those guys at least showed potential and tossed it, he tossed it before he got it.
Poor choices.
This guy was messed up long before he even touched any drugs.
I remember hearing about him when he was just starting in college. "Robo QB". Everything I read about him made me think he would self destruct as soon as he got out in the real world, out of his father's grasp.
I was right.
I was just thinking the same thing. His father wouldn't let him eat bad foods, no saturated fats, etc. Seems to me that at least some of this guys problems may be attributable to his parents.
Shove your sarcasm tag, its the truth. Meth and syringes and bent spoons and who knows what else sure does, though. Your title appears deceitful. Was he popped for marijuana this go around? Of are you attempting the bogus 'gateway' link argument? This guys is addictive/compulsive and he needs help. Perhaps if he could smoke pot in tolerance his addictive/compulsive problem could be sedated.
Yep. It was a recipe for disaster. You control every facet of his life so your son can achieve YOUR goal, not his. Then he's out in the real world with a bunch of money and out of your control.
I just hope his father is alive to see how bad he helped mess up his kid's life.
Pathetic stuff.
I remember him in high school. I think he played for Mission Viejo (or Capo Valley? Don't remember) and my stepson played for El Toro.
He was groomed from the time he was a year old. So were the Johnson brothers, also quarterbacks, but they didn't self destruct the way Marinovich did.
So were the Manning brothers, the children of pro quarterback Archie Manning. Spiritual guidance is as important as training.
I think you're probably right. His dad was a control freak practically to the point of being psychotic. When the kid got to USC and freedom, he must've just freaked out. Couldn't handle all the liberty. At that level without self-discipline, you just destruct. It's a tribute to Raiders front office stupidity that they drafted him.
Todd was known as "Robo Quarterback" during his grooming.
Correction to myself... he played for Capistrano Valley High School, IN Mission Viejo. Got it now.
I thought the SI article was when he was at Penn State....never mind...that was Todd Blackledge. smirk.
Bicycle? Skateboard? - we spent the weekend at Santa Cruz, you have never seen so many 60 year olds looking/acting like they are 14.
But, but, but drugs are illegal! Lets face it folks, the WOD is not working. Let those that want to destroy themselves do so and take the profit out of drugs. Guess what, no profit and the source will dry up and so will many gangs. But then again, if we did that we wouldn't need so much prison space or cops and we all know that ain't gonna happen.
Not quite, they had a career after the signing bonus check cleared.
SC's finest at play.
football news.
Don't know if he's still alive.
I'll bet he does not blame himself - he probably thinks that he kept Todd's innate weakness in check until it was no longer possible.
This guy was a pot chimney at USC.
"Shove your sarcasm tag, its the truth. Meth and syringes and bent spoons and who knows what else sure does, though. Your title appears deceitful. Was he popped for marijuana this go around? Of are you attempting the bogus 'gateway' link argument? This guys is addictive/compulsive and he needs help. Perhaps if he could smoke pot in tolerance his addictive/compulsive problem could be sedated."
Well put, sir.
Maronovich's father did everything possible to make it happen for Todd, but it was a fools errand. A kid can have every advantage and still wash out.
Oh, and his dad also played for the Oakland Raiders. He was a draft pick in '62.
Ah, thanks for bringing up that proud memory of the Purple and Gold putting a hurtin' on Robo-quarterback!
No
Drug abuse destroyed his career and are about to take his life. Collaboraters will blame his father or some other factor rather than the drugs they covet.
The Spice must flow ...
Who was his mother? She was also a great athlete if I recall correctly. Was she a track star or something?
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