Jump to content
Washington Football Team Logo
Extremeskins
Forum Rules and Guidelines

Ex-Raider/Redskin Russell dies in accident (merged)

TXREDSKINS44

By TXREDSKINS44
in 2005 Archives Forum

Recommended Posts

G-Prime

G-Prime

Posted
Posted

Former NFL player Darrell Russell killed in LA car crash

By TIM MOLLOY, Associated Press Writer

December 15, 2005

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Darrell Russell, a former standout NFL and Southern California defensive lineman whose promising career was derailed by drugs, was killed in a high-speed car crash early Thursday.

Russell, 29, was a passenger in a car driven by former USC teammate Mike Bastianelli that went out of control about 6 a.m. and hit a curb, tree, newsstand, fire hydrant, light pole, another tree and an unoccupied transit bus, Lt. Paul Vernon said.

Both Russell and Bastianelli, 29, were unconscious when firefighters arrived. Russell died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Bastianelli died at UCLA Medical Center.

ADVERTISEMENT

"He was a hell of a guy," Raiders receiver Jerry Porter said of Russell. "He just never found the strength to get going again after the all the trouble he got into."

The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Russell, the No. 2 overall pick by Oakland in the 1997 draft, had a promising start in the NFL before substance abuse problems ruined his career. He had 28 1/2 sacks in five seasons with Raiders, making the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 1999.

"Darrell was a good guy, he really was. He was a big kid like me that had a big heart," said former Raiders offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy. "He couldn't say no to anybody. That's what had a big deal with his demise, especially in the NFL, because he couldn't let his friends go, from San Diego. He couldn't let his past go. He always wanted to try to take care and do for other people. It ended up bringing him down."

Russell was suspended three times for violating the league's substance abuse policy and his career never really 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 before training camp by Tampa Bay the following year.

Russell's first suspension came after he failed a drug test, forcing him to miss the first four games of the 2001 season. The NFL 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 and over-the-counter drugs.

Russell was then 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.

"He became so big and so much into himself that he didn't want to do what it took to stay in the league," Kennedy said. "He had a couple of chances and he could just never right the ship, could never get it right. ... As much as I tried to help him, I had to realize that, he's ultimately a grown man, he's going to have to make his own decisions. That's always the way I've treated people, with respect. The reason I'm so upset now is that I wish I could have done more to maybe prevent this."

Russell tested positive for drugs again and was suspended indefinitely in July 2004.

In September 2002, Alameda County prosecutors dropped rape charges against Russell, claiming they could not prove he videotaped a woman being raped by two of his friends in January 2002.

Russell talked about his problems this summer at the NFL's rookie symposium, which is used to teach new players what pitfalls 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,"' Raiders safety Calvin Branch said.

Kennedy last talked to Russell about a year ago, when Russell said he was hoping to get his life back in order so he could resume his NFL career. That never happened and his friends are left to wonder what might have been if Russell had been able to keep himself clean.

"The sky's the limit. He would still be dominating today," Kennedy said. "I might have had a chance to play with him in a couple of Pro Bowls if he had just lived up to the potential of what he first showed in college and a little bit in the league."

Bastianelli was mostly a reserve wide receiver for the Trojans in 1995-1998 and finished with 68 career receptions for 961 yards and four touchdowns.

The car he was driving belonged to another former USC player, Larry Parker. Parker confirmed to police he had given permission to Bastianelli and Russell to use his car the night before the accident.

Former USC coach John Robinson, who recruited both Russell and Bastianelli, said: "I'm shocked to hear this news. I have fond memories of them at USC as players and people. They were very enthusiastic and well-liked. Both had outstanding careers at USC."

AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sumodat

sumodat

Posted
Posted
It wasnt proved he was a rapist u ***** :mad: , have some sympathy

It wasn't PROVED OJ killed his wife either. :doh:

gullible

adj 1: naive and easily deceived or tricked; "at that early age she had been gullible and in love" [syn: fleeceable, green] 2: easily tricked because of being too trusting; "gullible tourists taken in by the shell game"

I have zero sympathy for him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sumodat

sumodat

Posted
Posted
If you don't want to pay your respects to the dead in keeping with the spirit of the thread, then don't post.

I paid my respect and I feel better about it now.

Just because someone dies, you do not have to pretend they were a saint. He RAPED someone!

And just because you started a thread paying your respects to a SCUMBAG who died recently, everyone else does not need to follow suit. I happen to have a different opinion on it, which I posted.

If you don't agree, that's fine :doh: , but don't tell me not to post.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SkinsFTW

SkinsFTW

Posted
Posted

Wow, what a waste of the #2 pick in the first round of the 1997 draft.

Do better as a cat or a mouse next time Darrell and you might be a first round draft pick again in 2135.

J/K man, RIP and know that you earned your grave. It is sad, but many other deaths than nobody will ever hear about are mucn more sad so at least feel proud your death made headlines, as inept as it was in the end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
G-Prime

G-Prime

Posted
Posted
I paid my respect and I feel better about it now.

Just because someone dies, you do not have to pretend they were a saint. He RAPED someone!

And just because you started a thread paying your respects to a SCUMBAG who died recently, everyone else does not need to follow suit. I happen to have a different opinion on it, which I posted.

If you don't agree, that's fine :doh: , but don't tell me not to post.

I didn't pretend to do anything.. He died, I said RIP. You don't know what happened that night or if he raped anyone, no one does.. Neither do I.. The man died before his time and it's sad. As previously stated if you don't like it, then DO NOT POST.

Oh and OJ was found guilty in the civil trial.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sumodat

sumodat

Posted
Posted
I didn't pretend to do anything.. He died, I said RIP. You don't know what happened that night or if he raped anyone, no one does.. Neither do I.. The man died before his time and it's sad. As previously stated if you don't like it, then DO NOT POST.

Oh and OJ was found guilty in the civil trial.

I don't know why people keep saying "do not post." I post on a subject I wish to opine on. This is a message board, isn't it? Isn't that the point of this board, to post opinions?

Don't tell me not to post. I post what I want and when I want.

Now go pay your respects to that rapist scumbag!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...