In 1991, when the Raiders made Todd Marinovich their first-round draft choice, he was supposed to be the perfect quarterback specimen, an athlete whose birthright had been to become a star NFL quarterback. His father used to brag about how he never allowed Todd to go to McDonald's or watch cartoons, because the only activities permitted in the Marinovich home were the ones that advanced his potential for future NFL stardom.
Marinovich never amounted to anything in the NFL, and when it was clear that the only thing he was prepared for -- football -- wasn't working out, his life became a mess. Now comes word that he has been charged with felony drug possession and resisting a police officer.
"(Marinovich) was found hiding in a carport about 1:30 a.m. (Sunday), police Sgt. Evan Sailor said. After searching Marinovich, police found about one gram of methamphetamine, a metal spoon and a hypodermic needle, Sailor said.From "Robo-QB" to four-time drug loser. The Todd Marinovich story.
"Marinovich was charged with possession of a controlled substance, which is a felony, as well as unauthorized possession of a hypodermic needle and resisting a police officer, both misdemeanors."
He is still in Orange County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. If convicted of the felony, Marinovich could be facing serious jail time, considering "Orange County court records show Marinovich has pleaded guilty or no contest to drug violations or resisting a police officer on at least four occasions since 1997."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-28-2007 @ 11:30PM
just wonderin said...
Are athletes a reflection of society at large or do we just hear so much about the ones who have problems. Sometimes, in fanhouse, I would like to hear about an athlete or two, or more, who do something good in the community.
Or are they not news worthy?
sincerely,
just wonderin'
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8-28-2007 @ 11:30PM
Bruce Friedlander said...
It is all sad--if you knew the mentality of it all--I remember a skinny kid in the role of Ball Boy for my high school football team.
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8-28-2007 @ 11:53PM
nickstoli said...
Marv Marinovich is to fathers what Ike Turner is to husbands.
Frankly stated, Todd was fvcked at birth. But no one cared because he was good at football. Sad story. It will only get sadder. He's dead of an OD in five years.
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8-29-2007 @ 1:12AM
LB said...
Let's see
1) His family had money
2) Full ride to USC
3) Fame and coeds
4) First round draft pick, made millions
What did he do with it?
drugs, paternity suits, and even rape charges(at USC and later, and child pornography.
So I don't really feel sorry for him. If he was anyone else he would be called a thug and people would say send him to jail for life. A lot of people grow up in bad situations and don't do the things he has done.
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8-29-2007 @ 1:19AM
MV said...
Maybe they could put him in the same prison with Michael Vick. Then they could do the remake of the "Longest Yard"
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8-29-2007 @ 1:24AM
bob said...
let bring up the race card and profiling ho that right he's white my mistake
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8-29-2007 @ 2:01AM
George B Vieto said...
Todd Marinovich is the opposite of what Eldrick Woods is to golf.
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8-29-2007 @ 5:29AM
Zippy the pinhead said...
You are soooo right George B Vieto, when you're born with that silver spoon in your mouth it makes it hard to deal with when it starts to tarnish, on the other hand just because fingers were made before forks, a person learns to appreciate it when they finally get a place setting!
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8-29-2007 @ 5:32AM
Juice 1 the Real One said...
HAHAHAHAHAAAAA,
Now what are you "RACIST F@#Ks" going to say now, he's white an was paid all the money, and had all the toys, could of or was with the finest females out there. What, the rest of want to hear what you have to say now...... AAAAAhahahahahahahaAAAA
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8-29-2007 @ 5:38AM
sid said...
Well, it just goes to prove that kids need love and understanding, not pressure, fame, money and coeds. Imagine your dad taking control of your life like that and never letting go. IMO, what his father did borders on the criminal, and Todd is paying the price.
And the article seems a bit heavy on the Schadenfreude.
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8-29-2007 @ 8:09AM
john said...
Does Todd raise Pit Bulls to? You know....just because he likes them???
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8-29-2007 @ 8:11AM
david a. said...
real talk, #4 LB...
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8-29-2007 @ 9:41AM
Tim said...
Who cares!!!! This guys had everything. Getting caught one time I could say that's ashame that he made a mistake. But this jackass got caught 4 times since '97. I just wish that these damn sports figures would get the same jail time you or I would face if this was us. But it's all about how much money they can get out of them, that seals there fate in the jail system. If the NFL would just ban players from playing after there second time getting caught with drugs. The problem will go away.
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8-29-2007 @ 12:14PM
me64250 said...
Where's the verbal poison at folks? Me thinks it was all used up on Michael Vick. I guess you'll re-load when another Black athlete gets in the news. I see only 13 blogs. Normally there are hundreds. Compassion & sympathy makes its arrival too.
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8-29-2007 @ 1:19PM
Barabbas said...
To the piece of excrement @ 15, good to see you're all understanding and forgiving when a white guy, who is a repeat offender gets into trouble. But you rejoice to high heavens, when a black guy (first time offender)goes to jail. Your selective understanding is very entertaining.
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8-29-2007 @ 2:42PM
Krelian said...
#16. I'm not standing up for Marinovich, but there is a difference between true first time offenders, and offenses that have just been caught for the first time. Its one thing to commit a crime and it be your first offense. To continually repeat the crime since 2001 and just now be caught doesn't automatically make it a first offense in most people's eyes. It means a habitual criminal is finally caught and made to pay for what he has been doing for several years.
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8-29-2007 @ 2:50PM
Jimmy said...
It was a gram of crystal meth. All of you shut up. Police brutality. It was for personal use. Why can't he get high if that's what he wants to do?
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8-29-2007 @ 3:09PM
Mike Rath said...
#14--
Could it be because no one cares?????
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8-29-2007 @ 3:32PM
Jim said...
Once a Raider, always a Raider!
Maybe this is his way of getting the team to notice him for a possible comeback!
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8-29-2007 @ 4:02PM
SandLotJones said...
Vick is going to pay a heavy price for his actions. Marinovich should pay as well. The fact that they both broke the law is where the similarity ends. Vick can weather this and still salvage a career and a life worth living. Marinovich never was much of a pro and never, ever will be. Marinovich needs a rehab lockdown for a couple of years if he even wants to stay alive. Otherwise, #3 is right, we'll read about him in the obituaries in a few years.
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