The Big Dummy

JaMarcus Russell was arrested today in his Mobile Alabama home for possession of a controlled substance (codeine syrup aka "Purple Drank") as part of an undercover narcotics investigation.

"Purple Drank is an illegal recreational drink popular in the Southern United States rap community, whose main ingredients originally consisted of prescription strength cough syrup, containing codeine and promethazine, and either a carbonated soft drink (generally Sprite) or fruit juice. The purple-ish hue of Purple Drank comes from the dyes in the cough syrup. Recently, the term has expanded to cover mixtures including over-the-counter cough syrup and vodka in place of prescription cough syrup. Other terms for Purple Drank include Barre, Oil, Purple Tonic, Lean (or Southern Lean,) Drank, and Syrup (which is sometimes slangly pronounced as Sizzurp.)
The active ingredient of purple drank is codeine, an opiate medication contained in prescription strength cough syrups due to its antitussive properties. Some prescription cough syrups also contain anti-histamine medications, such as promethazine, which have a mild sedative effect. When taken in large quantities, both medications can lead to sedation and altered levels of consciousness."

Here's a guy who at the ripe old age of 21 was given a golden ticket to a wonderful life that included fame, fortune, and playing a sport he loved. All he needed to do to punch this golden ticket is be a good teammate and a good citizen. Is that too much to ask?

Russell was notorious for being late to meetings, being unable to handle the entire playbook, showing up to mini-camps out of shape and ill prepared, and with his recent release from the Raiders, as the biggest draft bust in the entire history of the league.

Is there any doubt that the "purple drank" was a significant part of the equation in Russell's failures the past 3 years? After being booted from the Raiders, Russell had a second chance to get his life and career back on track this season or next if he simply dedicated himself to his craft. Oh well. The Big Dummy should be able to afford a good attorney and continue to piss his life down the drain.