JaMarcus Russell
Possibly the biggest draft bust in NFL history, former quarterback JaMarcus Russell was a train wreck from the moment he walked across the stage at the NFL draft. As the 1st-overall pick in the 2007 draft, the Raiders rewarded Russell with a $61 million contract. As soon as Russell got his first taste of NFL money, he let himself go, gaining more than 30 pounds in the offseason. Rather than accepting blame for his poor play, Russell claimed “the game wasn’t fun for me” and even went as far as blaming teammates saying “I’m not the one who gave up 42 points on defense.” Russell has attempted several NFL comebacks since he last played in 2009 for the Raiders. He played just three NFL seasons, finishing with 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. In 2011, TMZ reported that Russell’s $2.4 million mansion was in foreclosure because he failed to make over $200,000 in mortgage payments.
Apparently JaMarcus thought it was more important to buy his “Purple Drank” instead of making mortgage payments on his 5,800-square-foot-mansion. But maybe we shouldn’t be surprised — after all — he was never known as a guy to make smart decisions.