Former Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich was found naked in someone’s backyard toting a brown paper bag that contained marijuana and drug paraphernalia, per Joshua Sudock of the Orange County Register.
Marinovich, once a local hero in Southern California as the quarterback of Mater Dei High School, USC and the Raiders, was cited for “trespassing, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, Irvine police Commander Mike Hallinan said Monday,” per Sudock.
“The caller stated that there was a naked person on Venta Spur Trail,” said Hallinan. Marinovich was found afterward in the backyard of a home shortly afterwards, naked and holding the aforementioned brown paper bag.
TMZ reports the cops also found methamphetamine in the bag.
Unfortunately, after starring at USC, Marinovich’s NFL stay was short-lived. He ended up playing in just eight games between 1991-92 before substance abuse issues (three failed drug tests) derailed his career.
A couple of failed CFL stints appeared to be the end of the line for Marinovich, but he did make a comeback in 2000 playing in the Arena Football League with the Los Angeles Avengers. He had a successful season in 2000 but ended up battling heroin addiction throughout the season.
Drug issues have continued to plague Marinovich, who ran from cops in 2007 and was ultimately arrested for felony drug possession.
This latest episode is just one more in a long line of drug-related offenses. Hopefully this time around, Marinovich finally gets the help he needs.