So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 96
No. 96:
Our pick:
==Darrell Russell, USC football (1994-'96)
His tragic story ended with his death in December, 2005, killed in a high-speed car crash in Culver City with former USC teammate Mike Bastianelli. Russell was 29.
At USC, he startedl as a freshman and after his team-high nine sacks as a junior, he decided to turn professional
The Oakland Raiders made the 6-foot-5, 325-pounder the No. 2 overall pick by in the 1997 draft and signed a seven-year, $22 million contract -- the richest ever at the time by a rookie -- but then substance abuse problems ruined his career. He had 28½ sacks in five seasons with Raiders, making the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 1999.
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 tested positive for drugs again and was suspended indefinitely in July 2004.
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.
Other No. 96s:
==Neil Hope, Rams ('87)
==Lawrence Jackson, USC football ('04- )
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 96: Cortez Kennedy over Pave Bure.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: