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Cops: Former Football Star Tucked Drugs and Ran

Posted Aug 29th 2007 1:22PM by TMZ Staff

Former USC great, NFL flop, and not-that-bad Arena Football star Todd Marinovich was arrested this weekend after cops say he was hiding almost a gram of methamphetamine, a syringe and a spoon in his guitar case.

According to sources, 38-year-old Marinovich was skateboarding near the Newport Pier in Orange County -- where boarding is strictly prohibited -- when police approached him. Cops say a frightened Marinovich then took off, leading them on a short chase. Cops caught up with the former QB, who was never much of a scrambler, hiding in a carport six blocks away.

Todd has nine prior drug-related cases in Orange County, and was on probation for a previous drug conviction.

Marinovich appeared in a Newport Beach court yesterday, where he plead not guilty to three misdemeanor charges. He will remain in custody until the Sept. 6 hearing.

Tags: todd marinovich, ToddMarinovich

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31. Oops...posts #12 and 27 re: the school question.

Posted at 3:59PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Me

32. Studdering Stanley! Studdering Stanley! ....The kid who made famous the phrase: "I see dead people. Oh, I'm still pulling for him. Whatever it is...What is it? He will bounce back and floor us all. And Mr. Ozment , if you or your PR get a load of this...Can I be your Personal Assistant? I cook , claean, and can multitask in any given office space

Posted at 4:55PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Chelle

33. who in the hell is this guy? I didn't know Lurch played football.

Posted at 4:08PM on Aug 29th 2007 by dick danglin

34. I remember him as being way younger than me. That mug shot sure is startling. It reminds me of those series of mug shots of other tweakers and how they go from young and fresh faced to gaunt pick-hole faced aged.

I hope he can get the help he needs to take care of himself. It's not too late, dude. Life is still good!

Posted at 4:50PM on Aug 29th 2007 by she smiled

35. Yeah! This guy's father was an idiot, but Todd's been acting like a jerk for way too long now. How about him growing up? There comes a point where the "Daddy" excuses stop holding water.

Posted at 5:33PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Ms. B.

36. sad. my HS used to play against him back in the day. what a loser.

Posted at 5:43PM on Aug 29th 2007 by carlita

37. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE LOVE WITH YOU IN A WILD WAY LIKE 2 HORSES PLAYING. I AM BLONDE AND I HAVE A BIG ROUND ASS FOR YOU HONEY.

Posted at 10:53AM on Aug 30th 2007 by MIKE TYSON I LOVE YOU

38. Hey -- he looks just like Ray Walston of My Favorite Martian--All he needs is the antennas

Posted at 6:41PM on Aug 29th 2007 by DaveVideoW

39. That guy is as close to an animal as it gets.

Posted at 7:31PM on Aug 29th 2007 by @

40. Yeah, I remember reading about him when I was a kid. His father was trying to raise the perfect quarterback, and wouldn't let him do much . . . One thing I remember is that he didn't have his first Big Mac until he got to USC . . . His parents divorced and then his father passed. That could be part of the problem . . . He doesn't know what to do without his father, poor guy.

Posted at 7:49PM on Aug 29th 2007 by Candy Barr

41. This is sad to see this man on the skid's of life , what a waste , too bad , but this is the glamor of drug's , a reality check , for all !

Posted at 12:37AM on Sep 2nd 2007 by craphound

42. When you're used to being a star, it would have to be difficult to adjust as an adult. Meth is more easily available and cheaper and longer-lasting. Life's not always easy for an aging super star when he can no longer offer what made him so huge. When you're used to things being handed to you well into adulthood, it can be hard to adjust & with the availability of meth, an addictive personality, well, this can happen. They should protect that man and help him. He doesn't belong in jail.

Posted at 8:58AM on Aug 30th 2007 by Qweesi

43. Why is it when someone is down people just want to make it worse for him and his family - Todd is a human being that has a serious drug problem - it is a sickness. Everyone needs to pray for him and for his family during this time and pray that he gets the help that he needs. People are so quick to judge when they don't know the whole story. God bless you Todd and your familly

Posted at 6:04PM on Aug 30th 2007 by Jan M

44. He went to Capo HS in south orange county, ca.
I went to high school w/him as well, we smoked pot & took lsd back then. At least he got off heroin. For those wondering why he was riding a skateboard, EVERYBODY rides a skateboard in newport beach!! His dad was a prick, but come on Todd, you are creeping up on 40, grow up.

Posted at 9:02PM on Sep 7th 2007 by too bad

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