Former Oakland Raiders quarterback and No. 1 draft choice JaMarcus Russell was supposed to be a star in the NFL. Coming out of LSU, there were high expectations for the QB. But instead, he turned into an infamous NFL bust after only two seasons.
Russell never got another chance in the NFL due to his work ethic. although the New Orleans Saints almost took a chance on him in 2010. Now 36, Russell spoke with “The Pivot Podcast” about what it was like to play for then-LSU head coach Nick Saban, who coached the Tigers for five years before moving on to the NFL.
Saban didn’t seem to have an issue getting Russell to play, unlike his NFL team. Saban apparently laid down the law early.
“Nick, man, that was crazy for me,” Russell said. “Going from high school to college, but Nick Saban, man. He was very militant. He’s strategic. He’s gonna get on your ass because he knows what you can do. He knows you can do it, so when you don’t show up that’s when it turns bad, bro.”
Russell is now an assistant football coach at his old high school in Mobile, Alabama but he never forgot the lessons Nick Saban taught him.
“I’ve been around Nick Saban, bro,” said Russell. “So I know what it’s supposed to be, what it’s supposed to look like in order for you to win.”
About Stacey Mickles
Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.