Former NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich has been arrested after being found in a public bathroom with apparent drug paraphernalia.
Marinovich, who has acknowledged that drug addiction derailed his once-promising football career, was being held in an Orange County jail for investigation of violating his probation pending on a drug court hearing scheduled for next week.
A police officer found Marinovich in the bathroom May 20 with a bent spoon and syringe. The former quarterback fled on a bicycle but was arrested 15 blocks away, police said. On the police report, he listed his occupation as "unemployed artist."
March 2005 - Las Vegas Raiders Wiretap
Romanowski Agrees To Pay Ex-Teammate $415,000
The drawn out legal dispute between former Oakland Raiders teammates Marcus Williams and Bill Romanowski is coming to a close with Romanowski agreeing to pay Williams $415,000 to resolve the litigation.
Williams' career ended after his eye socket was broken by Romanowski, who ripped off Williams' helmet during a practice drill and hit him in the face.
Williams was originally unhappy with the jury?s $340,000 verdict and threatened to seek a new trial until Romanowski agreed to the $415,000.
Carson Site Out Of Running For NFL Stadium
The city of Carson is passing on its bid for an NFL stadium, leaving three sites in the greater Los Angeles area being considered for a team by the league.
The three possible remaining sites in the area for an NFL club are: a parking lot next to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, the Los Angeles Coliseum and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
The area has been without an NFL franchise since the Rams left Anaheim for St. Louis and the Raiders left Los Angeles for Oakland before the 1995 season.
"We looked at a financial assessment of how much revenue comes into the city with a mega mall as opposed to an NFL football stadium and a small mall," Mayor Jim Dear said. "The stadium will open only eight games a year as compared to 365 days a year with a mega mall."
Moss On Culpepper: "It Seems To Me I Lost A Friend."
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Randy Moss said that the close relationship he once shared with Culpepper in Minnesota had deteriorated after Moss was traded to Oakland in the offseason.
"Once you grow to love a person, a breakup is kind of hard," Moss said. "I thought Culpepper was (my friend), but now that everything's happened, it seems to me I lost a friend.
"I used to go over to Daunte's all the time. I'd call him up after practice and ask him what he was doing. He'd say 'You know we are doing it big. Come on over.' I thought I had a friend in Daunte, but obviously I didn't."
Culpepper was clearly surprised by the remarks.
"My phone number hasn't changed," Culpepper said, implying that Moss has not contacted him. "If you're my friend, why haven't you talked to me? Know what I'm saying?"
Rice's Agent Sends Fax To NFL Teams About His Client's Final Season
The following one-page fax sent to the 32 National Football League teams by SFX Football and noted agent Jim Steiner came across the desk of Peter King the other day:
To: All NFL Clubs
From: Jim Steiner
Subject: The GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), Jerry Rice
Jerry would like to make 2005 his last year in the NFL. Any takers?? Please call if you think there might be a fit!''
"Jerry didn't ask me to do it,'' Steiner said from his home in St. Louis. "I'd never think about doing it, except in this case, where I know Jerry would like to play. I did it to put the clubs on notice that, under the right circumstances, Jerry would like to play this year. I did it to create awareness, for now and in the near future, that he's still thinking about playing.
"Emotionally and physically, he wants to play this year. He feels good. It's that time of year to get ready to play and he's working hard. His reservation right now is that he'd have to put on a different uniform, which he is a bit twisted about. But his desire to play may drown that reservation.''
Rich Gannon To Retire
Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon is going to retire from football.
Gannon was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2002 when he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. He broke a vertebra in his neck early last season on a goal line play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I have that neck injury and it's not going to be wise for me not to play any more football," he said Sunday. "I am flying out to California [today] to see the doctor who has treated me for the injury."
Raiders Improve Linebacker Corps With Foreman Signing
The Oakland Raiders have signed former Houston Texans linebacker Jay Foreman to a free-agent contract.
Foreman had 79 tackles last season despite missing five games with a sprained left ankle.
The Raiders were looking to improve their linebacking corps after trading Napoleon Harris to Minnesota in a deal for Randy Moss in March.
Foreman came to Houston in a trade with Buffalo in 2002 and started for three seasons. He made a career-high 141 tackles in 2002 and had 135 the next season.