Todd Marinovich

• Sent: 7/31/10
• Received: 8/16/10
• Time: 16 days
• Autographed Items Received: 1992 Pro Set, 1993 Topps

As y'all can probably tell by now if you've kept up with my blog, I have a soft spot for NFL "flops". Todd Marinovich was one of the bigger ones. Marinovich's story is fascinating. He was basically a scientific research project that his father, Marv Marinovich conducted. His entire life was based around building the "prototype" of an NFL quarterback. This permeated every facet of his life from training at a very young age to a very strict nutrional plan. By all accounts, the poor guy never had much of a "normal" childhood. Marinovich played his college ball at USC where he, at various times, was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. However, his personal difficulties (mostly drug use) clouded and eventually shortened his time there. Still, Al Davis never lets personal problems deter him from drafting a potential superstar, so the Raiders drafted him in the 1st round of the 1991 draft. He wound up starting the final game and a playoff game that season. Marinovich replaced Jay Schroeder as the starter two games into the 1992 season and he started six games. He had some rough outings, and Schroeder was given back the starting job. Todd Marinovich would never play another down in the NFL. It was around this time that he moved from marijuana and cocaine to using LSD. He spent much of the next few years in jail for one reason or another. Amazingly, Marinovich got himself back in shape 8 years after his NFL career ended, and had a great season in 2000 for the Arena Football Los Angeles Avengers. However, that season he played under the demon of severe heroin withdrawal. Sadly, to this day, Marinovich seems to still be plagued by his demons and he served jail time as recently as last year. He does work as a private quarterback coach at times back home in his native Southern California.

These cards are straight from my commons box. I gotta say, for all of his personal problems, it would be real easy for Mr. Marinovich to slink off into obscurity like a lot of players with issues. He's always been real fan friendly and signs a lot of TTM autographs. I truly appreciate that.