Odell Thurman

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**Odell Thurman**
Personal Info

Date of Birth	July 9, 1983
Place of Birth	Monticello, Georgia
Height	6'-0"
Weight	235 pounds
Player Information
Position	Linebacker
Number	51
College	Georgia
Awards
NFL Draft
Year	2005
Round, Pick	2nd round, 48th overall
Team	Cincinnati Bengals
Teams Played For
2005 -	Cincinnati Bengals

Odell Lamar Thurman (born July 9, 1983 in Monticello, Georgia,) is a linebacker with the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals. Thurman played college football at the University of Georgia and was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft, the 48th player taken overall. Football pundits are in near consensus that Odell Thurman is similar to Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and was a legitimate first round draft pick, but questions about his character and behavioral issues made many teams shy away from drafting him in the first round. Ironically, the Bengals' first round selection was Thurman's Georgia teammate, defensive end David Pollack, who was converted to linebacker by the Bengals.

However, many have cited Odell Thurman's tough childhood as the primary source of his troubles. Thurman's mother, Joyce Bland, died in a 1993 automobile accident, and his father, Otis Thurman, died in 2003 from liver and kidney failure. He was raised by his paternal grandmother, Betty Thurman, in a household of seventeen in rural Georgia.

His coaches on the Bengals have praised his quickness and his gladiator mentality. Indeed, Odell Thurman has the word "Gladiator" tattooed across his back. Many have mistakenly called it an allusion to the 2000 Russell Crowe/Ridley Scott film; Thurman says he actually got the tattoo before the film was released after a coach likened football to gladiatorial games.

Odell Thurman attended Monticello High School in Monticello, Georgia. While there, he was a Macon Telegraph first team All-Purpose All-State selection at both linebacker and fullback, and won Class AA honorable mention All-State honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and was invited to play in the 2001 Georgia-Florida all-star game. As a senior, he rushed for 1,187 yards and recorded 153 tackles. His high school football coach was Steve Patterson.

Odell Thurman played just two years and 23 games at the University of Georgia. Still, he was named an All-SEC player. Thurman was also a semi-finalist for the 2004 Dick Butkus Award. However, he entered the NFL draft after his junior season.

Although some pundits labeled him a "project player," Odell Thurman, while he made typically rookie mistakes, became a popular and productive addition to a Bengals defensive unit that improved significantly. He notched five interceptions and was a candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award that was awarded to San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Ben Roethlisberger controversy

During the Bengals' December 4, 2005 game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, Odell Thurman collided with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The hit resulted in a roughing the passer penalty and a minor injury to Roethlisberger. However, Steelers center Jeff Hartings confirms the video evidence that he inadvertently tripped Thurman, who was not fined by the NFL. [link]

Drug Problems

Odell Thurman was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2006-2007 regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. According to sources, Thurman either tested positive for the drug test or failed to take the test. [link]

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