JaMarcus Russell Struggles Continue Outside the NFL

Added on Aug 13, 2010 by Eric Galko in

NFL

JaMarcus Russell has been a mess of a football player since he came into the NFL. In college, he was a strong-armed quarterback who couldn’t win the big game, but had unbelievable arm strength and overall skill set.

But his NFL career didn’t pan out like the Raiders hoped, and now it appears his post-NFL career hasn’t gone much better either. Russell’s house was recently raided and police found codeine syrup that many, including former Packer defensive tackle who currently in being prosecuted heavily, use as a drug.

Now he’s got more to deal with then digesting an NFL playbook.JaMarcus recently sat down and talked with ESPN’s Rachael Dominguez in his first interview since being released by the Raiders and finally revealed some of his career with the dysfunctional franchise.

In the interview, Russell admitted he had tested positive for codeine drugs in his system shortly after he signed his contract with the Raiders, but claimed that he had permission from his own doctor. While I’m not sold that story is entirely true, the Raiders kept it quite and kept a watchful eye.

After he was cut in May of this year, Russell didn’t manage to latch on with another NFL team, and while his well known poor work ethic, his lack of development, and his overall image didn’t help, this could have been the final straw in a team saying thanks but no thanks.

So while some, including myself, were secretly rooting for JaMarcus to get a second chance in professional football, maybe with the CFL or UFL, that quiet support may have gone out the door when the police stormed in.

Russell’s friend is attempting to take the blame for the codeine possesion, it appears the police aren’t quick to rule out Russell’s involvement, and this story and situation is far from over.

As he’s done during his career in a way, he’ll have to put seriously preparing for football on hold. But now it’s not because he doesn’t feel like working out or learning plays. It’s because he’s facing serious jail time.