Todd Marinovich, former USC and Raiders quarterback, arrested naked with marijuana, police say

Aug. 22, 2016

Updated 9:28 p.m.

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Todd Marinovich when he played with the Los Angeles Avengers. ANDY TEMPLETON, REGISTER FILE PHOTO

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Former USC and pro football player Todd Marinovich, 47, was arrested after he was found naked with marijuana in someone else's backyard in Irvine, police said Monday. COURTESY OF THE IRVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Todd Marinovich in 1990. BRUCE CHAMBERS, REGISTER FILE PHOTO

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USC's quarterback Todd Marinovich (13) raises the ball over his head as he scores the team's first touchdown against Michigan in the Rose Bowl game, Jan. 1, 1990, in Pasadena. At left is Michigan's Alex Marshall (59). BOB GALBRAITH , AP

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Todd Marinovich with the Raiders. CHAS METIVIER, REGISTER FILE PHOTO

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University of Southern California quarterback Todd Marinovich (13) is pressured by Penn State linebacker Eric Ravotti during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 15, 1990 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Marinovich threw incomplete. REED SAXON, AP FILE PHOTO

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Los Angeles Raiders starting guard quarterback Todd Marinovich (12) runs out of the pocket and is tackled by Cleveland Browns linebacker Richard Brown (52) during second quarter action on Sept. 20, 1992, in Los Angeles. Marinovich, a second year pro, took over for Jay Schroeder who was benched by Raiders coach Art Shell. KEVORK DJANSEZIAN, AP FILE PHOTO

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Todd Marinovich, 43, of Newport Beach, holds daughter Coski 1, wife Alix and son Baron enjoy sunset at Balboa Pier in October 2012. As a baby, Todd, groomed to be a superstar quarterback, was fed only fresh vegetables, fruits, and raw milk. His children have a healthy, but much less strict diet. KEVORK DJANSEZIAN, AP FILE PHOTO

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Todd Marinovich when he played with the Los Angeles Avengers. ANDY TEMPLETON, REGISTER FILE PHOTO

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Former USC and pro football player Todd Marinovich, 47, was arrested after he was found naked with marijuana in someone else's backyard in Irvine, police said Monday. COURTESY OF THE IRVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Former USC and pro football player Todd Marinovich, 47, was arrested after he was found naked with marijuana in someone else's backyard in Irvine, police said Monday. COURTESY OF THE IRVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT

By JOSHUA SUDOCK / STAFF WRITER

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IRVINE – Former USC star and Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich was arrested after he was found naked with marijuana in someone else’s backyard, police said Monday.

The 47-year-old was cited for trespassing, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, Irvine police Commander Mike Hallinan said Monday. Police suspect that the substance was methamphetamine, he said, but what was discovered will undergo testing.

About 9 p.m. Friday, police received a complaint call. 

“The caller stated that there was a naked person on Venta Spur Trail,” said Hallinan, referring to a paved bike and walking path that runs along a greenbelt between homes.

Hallinan said that Marinovich, an Irvine resident, was in a backyard of a home on Bluecoat: “He was carrying the items in a brown bag.”

Marinovich, who rose to stardom while playing quarterback for Mater Dei and later Capistrano Valley High in the 1980s, went on to play for USC and the Los Angeles Raiders.

In 1989, Marinovich became the first freshman quarterback to start the first game of the season for USC since World War II after starting quarterback Pat O'Hara suffered a leg injury. He was a Heisman Trophy candidate in 1990 and led the Trojans to victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl that season.

The Raiders selected Marinovich in the first round of the 1991 NFL draft, ahead of Brett Favre.
Marinovich was arrested for cocaine possession a month after the 1990 Sun Bowl. He was removed from the Raiders’ roster after only two seasons because of repeated drug use.

In 1997, he pleaded guilty to felony charges that he was cultivating marijuana in his Dana Point home and a misdemeanor charge of illegally possessing prescription medicine.

He joined the Los Angeles Avengers’ Arena Football team in 2000 but was arrested on suspicion of heroin possession and cut eight months later. 

In 2005, Marinovich was arrested for drug possession in Newport Beach. Two years later, he was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized possession of a hypodermic needle and resisting arrest. 

In recent years, the married father of two told reporters he was doing better – devoting time to his alma maters and arts career.

On Father’s Day this year, Marinovich posted a video of himself filling up water balloons with two children, writing, “A total game changer! Happy Fathers Day all you dads!”