Todd Marinovich
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Todd Marinovich | |
|---|---|
 Todd Marinovich as featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated |
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| Date of birth | July 4, 1969 |
| Place of birth |  San Leandro, California |
| Position(s) | QB |
| College | USC |
| NFL Draft | 1991 / Round 1 / Pick 24 |
| Stats | |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1991-1992 | Los Angeles Raiders |
Todd Marinovich (born July 4, 1969 in San Leandro, California) is a former American football quarterback who played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League. His career also included stints in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. He was often referred to as "Robo QB" and "Todd Marijuanavich" by detractors. Marinovich's great play in college did not transfer into the pros, and therefore he is labeled as a 'draft bust' by many critics.
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[edit] High school career
During Marinovich's successful high school career at Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, California, stories emerged that he had been raised to be the perfect quarterback by his father, a former NFL lineman. These claims became nationally known after an article in Sports Illustrated magazine that appeared during his college recruitment. The claims included strict workout regimens during his early years and complete abstinence from fast food. While Marinovich's mother was pregnant with Todd, her diet was also under close scrutiny, she was to eat only lean meals high in protein. In 1987, Marinovich racked up a national record 9,194 passing yards at Capistrano Valley High.
[edit] College career
His college choice was no surprise, joining the team his father formerly captained at the University of Southern California. Marinovich's college career took a bad turn after he led his team to the Rose Bowl as a freshman. He led the USC Trojans to a victory over the Michigan Wolverines in Bo Schembechler's final game as a head coach. His relationship with then USC coach Larry Smith became increasingly rocky; he was suspended from the team on multiple occasions — ostensibly for skipping class — and rumors of recreational drug use — hence the moniker Marijuanavich — became well established.
[edit] Professional career
In 1991, he left USC to test the waters of the NFL draft, finding a home in the first round with the Los Angeles Raiders and signing a 3-year, $2.27 million deal. He did not start a game until the final week of the season, where he impressed with 3 touchdown passes against the Kansas City Chiefs in a close loss. Because of this great debut he started the following week against the Chiefs in the playoffs, but was very poor throwing for just 140 yards with 4 interceptions in a 10-6 loss. After an 0-2 start in 1992 former starter Jay Schroeder was benched and Marinovich, the fan favorite, became the starter. He threw for 395 yards in a loss in his first start that season and lost the following week as the Raiders started 0-4. He then won 3 of his next 4 games before falling to the Cowboys. The following week Marinovich started against the Eagles, seeing 3 of his first 10 passes intercepted. Jay Schroeder then took back the starting job; Marinovich never threw another ball in the NFL again and was eventually released by the Raiders.
After his departure, Marinovich had stints in the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League but was always followed by scandals. He had problems with drugs and even rape charges; authorities once arrested him during practice with the Los Angeles Avengers. In 1999, he partnered up with sports marketing agent and IBL San Diego Stingrays owner Scott Atkins in the QB12 Sports Collectors Art Series. QB12 was a limited edition sports art lithograph series with Marinovich as the sports artist the series featured, Ken Stabler and Joe Montana. The project was cancelled due to Marinovich's legal troubles. In 2000, Marinovich was named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team, but lackluster play and off-the-field problems led to his release in 2001.
Despite moments of brilliance, Marinovich's professional career is widely considered to be a bust. In 2004 Marinovich was included in ESPN.com's list of The 25 Biggest Sports Flops, coming in at number 4 on the ESPN.com editors' list, and number 7 on the readers' list.[1] His name, along with that of Ryan Leaf, is often used as an eponym for a highly vaunted football player who turns out to be a huge disappointment.
[edit] Legal troubles
Marinovich has had several run-ins with the law, most of which have been related to his ongoing drug problems. He was arrested in 1991, while still a student at USC. In 1997 he was arrested on suspicion of growing marijuana and served three months in jail after pleading guilty. In April 2000, Marinovich was arrested for sexual assault[2], followed by a 2001 arrest on suspicion of heroin possession, which forced his exit from the Avengers.
In August 2004, Marinovich was stopped for skateboarding in a prohibited area. He was arrested after he was found to be carrying an amount of methamphetamine and three syringes. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years probation.
Marinovich was arrested in a public bathroom in Newport Beach, California in May 2005, after being found with apparent drug paraphernalia. He fled on a bicycle, but was caught a few blocks away. He gave his occupation as "unemployed artist" on the police report.[3] He was ordered to undergo six months of drug rehabilitation followed by six months of outpatient treatment as a result.[4]
[edit] Memorable Moments
At USC
- In 1990 after being sacked by a UCLA defensive lineman Marinovich flipped him off after the lineman offered to help him off the ground.
- Todd Marinovich defeats Tommy Maddox in the 1990 UCLA vs. USC game 45-42.
- In the 1990 match-up against Notre Dame, Todd Marinovich playfully shoved a Notre Dame defensive lineman while celebrating a touchdown.
- In Marinovich’s final season at USC the Trojans entered a game in late September against the University of Washington Huskies ranked #5 in the country. Following a 31-0 beating from Washington’s “Purple Reign” defense, Marinovich was quoted as saying, “All I saw was purple. No jerseys, no numbers, just purple.” Marinovich entered the game as a Heisman Trophy candidate, but his performance that day effectively ended his Heisman hopes.
[edit] See also
| Preceded by Rodney Peete |
USC Trojans Starting Quarterbacks 1989-1990 |
Succeeded by Reggie Perry |
[edit] References
- ^ The 25 Biggest Sports Flops, ESPN.com, July 20, 2004
- ^ Marinovich Released on Bond After Arrest Associated Press, April 26, 2000
- ^ Former NFL QB Todd Marinovich Arrested Associated Press, May 26, 2005
- ^ Marinovich ordered into drug rehabilitation program Associated Press, June 3, 2005
