JaMarcus Russell, widely considered the biggest bust in NFL Draft history, will receive $3 million from the Oakland Raiders despite having not played for them since 2009.
According to league sources, Russell was still owed $3 million on his massive rookie contract when he was released in 2010 by the Raiders. The contract he signed for after being picked first overall in the 2007 draft was worth $68 million over six years.
Oakland attempted to get back $9.5 million from him, but Russell filed a counter-grievance, claiming he was still owed $9 million. With the $3 million payout, the matter is now settled, and the two can continue forward their separate ways.
Russell was a tremendous disappointment after a stellar college career at Louisiana State University. He struggled in all three years of his brief NFL career, throwing 18 touchdowns which were outnumbered by his 23 interceptions. He compiled a 7-18 record as a starter, completing just 52 percent of his passes and not doing anything on the ground, despite his imposing frame.
On top of his poor performance, he was infamous for his poor conditioning habits, and penchant for being overweight. Making matters worse, he was arrested in 2010 for possession of codeine syrup, a depressant used in a popular southern drink called "purple drank."
Mobile County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Lori Myles described the concoction, and also provided a second slang term to call it. "We understand that typically sometime this codeine syrup is mixed with a beverage, like Sprite, and they call it sip-sip," Myles said.
Recently, Russell has tried to put all that behind him and embark on a comeback journey. He has reportedly lost 50 pounds, and is determined to show his poor work habits have disappeared. He worked out for the Chicago Bears last month, but according to sources threw inconsistently, leading the Bears to pass on him.
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