Todd Marinovich
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[] at NFL.com 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.
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 these stories were undoubtedly exaggerated to some degree, they have since been seen by some as a cautionary tale for the ambitious parents of young athletes. In 1987, Marinovich racked up a national record 9,194 passing yards at Capistrano Valley High.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 his moniker "Marijuanavich"), became well established.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 4 interceptions and throwing for just 140 yards in a 10-6 loss. After a 0-2 start in 1992 former starter Jay Schroeder was benched and Marinovich the fan favourite 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 and had a nightmare seeing 3 of his first 10 passes intercepted. Jay Schroeder then took back the starting job and 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 drug problems and even rape charges, including one incident during his AFL career in which authorities arrested him during practice with the Los Angeles Avengers. In 2000, Marinovich was named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team, but lackluster play and off-the-field problems in 2001 led to his eventual release.Retirement
He was also charged with attempted murder of his drug supplier.In May 2005, Todd Marinovich was arrested in a public bathroom in Newport Beach, California, after being found with apparent drug paraphernalia.
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