JaMarcus Russell

At 39 years old, JaMarcus Russell has this physical status:

JaMarcus Russell (born August 9, 1985) is a former American football quarterback.

He played college football at LSU, where he finished 21-4 as a starter and was named MVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl.

Russell was then selected by the Oakland Raiders as the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Russell didn't wait until the Raiders signed him to a six-year contract, totaling 7-18, with just 18 touchdowns against his 38 turnovers.

The Raiders suspended him in May 2010 after his inconsistent play and his work ethic were put into question.

He is often regarded as one of the best busts in NFL history.

Early life

Russell was born in Mobile, Alabama, and attended Lillie B. Williamson High School. He got off and never missed a football game during his four years under head coach Bobby Parrish. Russell completed 180 of 324 passes for 2,683 yards and 20 touchdowns as Williamson advanced to the state championship game in his freshman year. Russell had grown to six-foot-three and 185 pounds by the next season, had his first recruiting letters, and was becoming more familiar with the script. Russell played for 2,616 yards and 20 touchdowns during his sophomore season, leading the team to the semifinals.

Russell's best season was his senior year; he completed 219 of 372 passes for 3,332 yards and 22 touchdowns, as well as rushing for another 400 yards and five touchdowns. Russell Parade magazine All-American Honorable Mention Awards for his work this year. His 10,774 career passing yards tied for the most passing yards in Alabama's history, which also stands today.

Russell was at the center of an ESPN Outside the Lines article about high school sports in Mobile. He also played basketball and threw the javelin in track and field.

Personal life

Ray Ray Russell, the uncle of his uncle Ray Russell, was a long-time DJ and radio host for the Mobile, Alabama-based station WBLX until his death in 2009. DeAngelo Parker, his cousin, established Ray Ray's Chicken and Waffles in 2011 in Mobile, Alabama. Russell later regretted not having the opportunity to properly mourn Ray Ray and his other uncle's deaths, which occurred within months of each other, and he never told the Raiders of his mental instability during his 2009 season.

Russell housed around a dozen evacuees who had fled the flood in New Orleans, including New Orleans singer Fats Domino, in his off-campus apartment in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Russell was arrested in Mobile, Alabama, on July 5, 2010 for being in possession of codeine syrup without a valid prescription. His detention was the culmination of a two-month probe that did not initially concern Russell, but his name and address appeared consistently throughout the investigation. Russell was bailed out, and a bond hearing was set for July 7, 2010. Russell pleaded 'not guilty' to a state criminal charge of unlawful possession of a controlled drug at his arraignment on July 20, 2010. A grand jury in Mobile, Texas, refused to indict Russell on suspicion of unlawful codeine syrup ownership without a prescription on October 29, 2010. The detention of at least one individual has greatly reduced his odds of catching up with another NFL team.

Local journalists had noticed rumors of "purple drank" use by Russell for some time during his time with the Raiders, but not announced due to a lack of evidence or corroboration. Russell said he tested positive for codeine after being picked by the Raiders in the 2007 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Colleen Dominguez.

Source

College career

Russell pledged to Louisiana State University (LSU) over Florida State University (LSU), becoming the LSU Tigers' 28th and final recruit of the 2003 season. Russell started playing redshirted his freshman year and by the fall of the 2005 season, he was the starting quarterback. He led the Tigers to a 10-1 regular season record, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division title, and a top-five finish in the SEC Championship Game. He also improved statistically, throwing 53% of his passes for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns. Russell was lauded on the AP's All-SEC staff for his service.

In the regular season, Russell led the Tigers to two come-from-behind victories. In the final minute of the game, the Tigers defeated Arizona State 33-30, with the first touchdown coming on a 39-yard pass to Early Doucet on 4th down on the fourth down. Later in the season, LSU defeated a then-undefeated Alabama team 16–13 when he scored a 14-yard touchdown to Dwayne Bowe in overtime.

Russell suffered his shoulder in a loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and he missed the team's bowl game. Matt Flynn was recalled for the Peach Bowl against Miami, and the Tigers won the game 4-3.

Russell played for quarterback at LSU in 2006, knocking out Matt Flynn and high-awaited redshirt freshman Ryan Perrilloux. Before the season, he changed his jersey number from 4 to 2. He had a fruitful 2006 regular season, leading the Tigers to a 10-2 record and a BCS Sugar Bowl berth. He passed for 3,129 yards, 28 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He came in second in the SEC with 2,923 yards from scrimmage. Russell has also been named SEC Offensive Player of the Week three times during the regular season.

Russell started the game poorly, throwing three interceptions (one that was returned for a touchdown), but LSU then led LSU on a 15-play, 80-yard comeback drive at the end of the season. Russel threw a touchdown pass to Early Doucet at the end of the drive, but there were less than ten seconds remaining. LSU defeated 28-24, as a result. He passed over 350 yards of passing and rushing combined, as well as three touchdowns, leading LSU to a 41–14 victory over Notre Dame. He was named Sugar Bowl MVP for his efforts.

Russell was named to the all-SEC first-team at the end of the 2006 season, ahead of Kentucky's Andre Woodson and Florida's Chris Leak.

Russell said on January 10, 2007, he had decided to postpone his last season of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2007 NFL Draft.

Professional career

Russell's workouts at the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine showed that his arm strength and size impressed many teams, according to ESPN's John Clayton, "it's impossible to pass up on Russell at #1." Russell referred to his height at the combine, saying, "I started playing football at the age of six," Russell said about his size. "I was always bigger and taller than the others, and I was always able to throw it a good length of the field." Russell's talent, according to Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage, is "huge." He's a rare combination of size and arm strength."

Russell was chosen by the Oakland Raiders as the top overall pick. Russell was one of four LSU players in the first round, as well as safety LaRon Landry and wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis.

Matt Millen, the former Detroit Lions general manager and Raiders linebacker, told Al Davis, the Raiders' president, not to draft Russell after Millen kicked Russell out of a pre-draft interview for being overly delayed. Russell was a "stiff" who "couldn't pay attention for more than five minutes," Millen said in 2016, preferring a future Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Davis admitted that Kiffin opposed drafting Russell but that he was indecisive toward his chosen pick after firing him in 2008.

Russell suffered out through training camp and the first week of the 2007 NFL season until September 12, when he agreed to a six-year deal worth up to $68 million with $31.5 million guaranteed. Russell did not call him to practice anything right away." Russell may not have to have everything mastered," claiming that he missed all of training camp and that other quarterbacks, like David Carr, should have been carried along more slowly.

Russell made his first professional appearance against the Denver Broncos on December 2, 2007. Russell led to two seasons in relief of starter Josh McCown and finished 4 of 7 pass attempts for 56 yards in the second quarter. Russell threw his first career touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 23, 2007, a two-yard pass to Zach Miller. He had seven completions on 23 pass attempts for 83 yards, with one touchdown pass, three interceptions, and a lost fumble.

Russell made his first appearance in the San Diego Chargers' final game of the season. He was intercepted twice and missed a fumble, resulting in 17 points off turnovers for the Chargers. He did not immediately get up off the field due to an injury, and later in the game, he was taken to the locker room on a cart, after which Andrew Walter was brought to the locker room. Russell completed 23 of 31 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a lost fumble in his first appearance. Russell had 36 passes on 66 attempts, 373 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions during his rookie season. Kiffin named him the starting quarterback for the upcoming 2008 season after a San Diego game.

Russell was selected as the starter for the 2008 season's first game against the Denver Broncos, a division rival. The Broncos beat the Raiders 41-14. Russell completed 17 of his 26 pass attempts for 180 yards as well as throwing for two touchdowns, totaling with a passer rating of 111.1. In the red zone, he fumbled once more before attempting to finish a throw to Darren McFadden in the apartment. The Oakland Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs 23–8 in next week's next week. Russell passed for 55 yards and made 6-of-17 passes with no touchdowns or interceptions.

In Week 7, the Raiders defeated the New York Jets 16–13 in overtime. The victory brought an end to their four-game home losing streak. Russell completed 17-of-30 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown. It was head coach Tom Cable's first victory as the Raiders head coach. Russell led the team on a 43-yard drive to set up Sebastian Janikowski's game-winning field goal. The Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins all lost games in the next four weeks. He led the Raiders to a 31-10 victory over Denver, where he had completed 10-of-11 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown.

Russell played back to back games against the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2008 season. Russell threw for six touchdowns and two interceptions in the last three games.

Russell was named starting quarterback of the Oakland Raiders in August 2009. Russell lost three fumbles and passed for 100 yards in a Week 5 loss to the New York Giants. Russell was suspended indefinitely by coach Tom Cable in favor of Bruce Gradkowski after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on November 15. Gradkowski scored five touchdown passes in two weeks and stunned the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in their fourth-quarter comebacks and upset them in the following two weeks. Russell finished the game for the Raiders after Gradkowski was hospitalized against the Washington Redskins, resulting in the loss. Cable decided to start backup Charlie Frye rather than Russell after the game, putting Russell in third place on the depth chart. Russell played near the end of the game when Frye was injured against the Denver Broncos. The game resulted in a win. He finished the 2009 season with the lowest quarterback rating, lowest completion percentage, fewest passing touchdowns, and fewest passing yards among qualified quarterbacks in the NFL.

Russell, who has often been criticized for a faulty lack of endurance, arrived at a mini-camp weighing 290 pounds, up from his initial weight of 271. National Football Post reported him at 300 pounds by April. Russell had "a positive first minicamp" and "is in excellent shape" in the team's first training camp in late April, according to Cam Inman of the Oakland Tribune. Russell said "Today, I'm going to come out, compete for the job, and work my tail off" in an interview during camp.

Campbell, Russell, Frye, Gradkowski, and Kyle Boller were all traded for Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, leaving the team with five quarterbacks on the roster in the same month: Campbell, Russell, Frye, Gradkowski, Gradkowski, and Kyle Boller. Russell could make a good living offence, according to Cable. Russell was activated by the Raiders on May 6, 2010.

On May 28, 2010, the Browns filed a grievance for Russell's $9.55 million back for what was billed as salary increases for the 2010 to 2012 NFL seasons. "The money in question was absolutely legitimate," his agent said. Russell was forced to hold out and miss all of training camp as a rookie. The Raiders are aware of this, and this is our only comment." Russell formally filed a grievance against the Raiders, claiming he owes an additional $9 million from the team, and the parties settled the lawsuit in 2013 with Russell paying him an additional $3 million.

Sean Payton, the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, said in May 2010 that the right time for the Saints to consider signing Russell was not right, but that it was "newsworthy" when a high draft pick is announced so soon, and that players like Russell often get second chances in the NFL. However, he has never played another down in a football game due in large part to questions regarding his work ethic. Russell had migrated to Houston, Texas, and was working with former NBA standout and head coach John Lucas, who was also consulting him as a life coach, on September 26, 2010. Russell was signed during a workout with the Washington Redskins on November 2, 2010, but not signed. Russell, who was at 292 pounds at the time, was able to help the Miami Dolphins with four other quarterbacks to replace an injured Chad Pennington on the Dolphins' roster on November 15, 2010. Patrick Ramsey was eventually hired after. When Russell with Baltimore Ravens president Ozzie Newsome was in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl, he attempted to arrange a meeting with Russell; however, Newsome declined to speak with Russell. Lucas, who had been dissatisfied with Russell's work ethic, reportedly ended all links with Russell and told him to leave the Houston area in April 2011.

Russell said in 2013 that he was interested in returning to the league and that he would train with several NFL players, including Marshall Faulk and Jeff Garcia, as well as Olympian Ato Boldon. Russell's comeback story was chronicled by Bleacher Report in a series titled JaMarcus Russell's Return to the NFL. Russell had returned to his rookie weight of 265 pounds in May 2013. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported him. The Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens had both expressed an interest in the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens. Russell tried out for the Bears on June 7, 2013, and the team delivered a "solid" result when working out with fellow free-agent quarterbacks Trent Edwards and Jordan Palmer, according to a ESPN study. The Bears did not sign him, saying they were not interested in adding a fourth quarterback to the roster. However, the Bears did sign Edwards and Palmer two months later. Russell wrote letters to all 32 NFL teams in April 2016, promising to play one year for free, but no team replied to the letters.

Russell is the most successful draft bust in NFL history, according to NFL.com's Steve Wyche. He was named one of the best draft busts of the 2000s by the Huffington Post. Russell is described as a "talented but highly disappointed" quarterback by ESPN's Bill Williamson. Russell's 2009 passer rating of 50.0 was also the lowest rating by a starting quarterback in the NFL since 1998. His final stats during his time as a Raider were 51.9 percent pass completion, 18-23 TD-INT ratio, a passer rating of 65.2, and fumbled 25 times, 15 of which were lost fumbles.

Russell's second jersey number appeared during the regular season for several years after his release; pundit Marquette King wore it during Oakland's 2012 preseason before being placed on season-ending injured reserve. Terrelle Pryor, a newly drafted quarterback, was turned down by then-coach Hue Jackson, and Sports Illustrated's Ann Killion said it was to avoid comparisons to Russell. However, Pryor was able to trade numbers with King during training camp in 2013.

Russell wrote a personal essay for The Players Tribune in June 2022, "You Know a Damn Thing About Jamarcus Russell." He talked about his lean consumption throughout his LSU career, his family, and his "bust" designation in the piece.

Source