Former N.F.L. Lineman Darrell Russell Is Dead at 29
NY Times
Darrell Russell, a former standout defensive lineman for the University of Southern California and in the National Football League, whose promising career was derailed by drugs, was killed in a high-speed car crash here early Thursday. He was 29.
Russell was a passenger in a car driven by his former U.S.C. teammate Michael Paul Bastianelli that went out of control about 6 a.m. and hit a curb, a tree, a newsstand, a fire hydrant, a light pole, another tree and an unoccupied transit bus, Los Angeles Police Lt. Paul Vernon said.
Both Russell and Bastianelli, 29, were unconscious when firefighters arrived. Russell died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Bastianelli died at U.C.L.A. Medical Center.
Russell last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Russell, the No. 2 overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 1997 draft, had a promising start in the N.F.L. before substance-abuse problems derailed his career. He had 28.5 sacks in five seasons with Raiders, making the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 1999.
He was suspended three times for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, and his career never recovered. After being released by the Raiders at the end of his second suspension, he played briefly for the Washington Redskins in 2003, and was released in training camp by Tampa Bay the next year.
Russell’s first suspension came after he failed a drug test, forcing him to miss four games of the 2001 season. The N.F.L. does not disclose details of substance-abuse violations. The league’s policy covers a wide range of issues, including the illegal use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.
Russell was suspended again in January 2002 for testing positive for the club drug Ecstasy. He was released by the Raiders in October 2003, shortly after being reinstated by the league.
Russell talked about his problems this summer at the N.F.L.’s rookie symposium, which is used to teach new players what pratfalls to avoid in their careers.
“He was trying to teach people that, ‘I am a prime example of what not to do in certain situations,’ ” said Calvin Branch, a teammate of Russell’s on the Raiders.
Russell signed with the Redskins and played sparingly the rest of the 2003 season. He then joined Tampa Bay in the off-season but was released in training camp. He tested positive for drugs again and was suspended indefinitely by July 2004.
