As many of you know, I am/was possibly the biggest Darrel Russel fan ever.
Sorry, wrong Darrell Russell. The real DRus is none other than this unfortunately late delight:
Darrell was suspended several times for using drugs, including the party drug ecstasy. He was also accused of videotaping two friends while they raped a woman. No matter. Never mind these blights on his character, and besides, no DA could prove Darrell was behind the camera.
No, the real genius of Darrell Russell didn't even come out on the football field, though
my late boy was a baller fo' sho.
Here is an extensive interview with Darrell from right after he was drafted:
Q. Darrel, threw a monkey wrench into works a couple days ago. Were you surprised going to the Raiders?
DARRELL RUSSELL: Not really. My agent told me beforehand, my attorney rather, told me beforehand that as it gets closer to the draft, anything can happen. When that trade was made, it just proved him right.
Q. Were you surprised to go so high?
DARRELL RUSSELL: Kind of, sort of. I mean, I figured I'd be in the Top 10 because that was one of the big things as far as me coming out early, coming out of school, one of the things I paid attention to. I felt very fortunate to be looked at a player that could possibly be No. 1. As we got closer, looked like I'd be down to 5, 6-8. Right back to where we started. I wasn't really surprised. To be No. 2, I feel very fortunate, very excited.
Q. Raiders have quite a reputation, silver and black thing. How do you fit in with that?
DARRELL RUSSELL: I went to USC, and the Trojans had a reputation with the cardinal and gold things. To go from one school with tradition, to a pro team that also has a tradition, it feels good.
Q. Talk to any former teammates about what the transition will be like, Keyshawn?
DARRELL RUSSELL: Yes. I've talked to them. I have to understand that both players are coming from two different aspects, one got married when he came out, the other single. Life-styles are a bit different. I talked to both of them, able to get some sort of view on what life would be like. I mean, we're all different.
Q. Initial impressions from the Raiders traded up to two, wanted to get Pace, and obviously the Jets making the trade hurt them a little bit. As far as you're concerned, when did you first start hearing from the Raiders in the last couple of days? How did that all shake out?
DARRELL RUSSELL: Actually, I never heard from the Raiders. I talked to the Raiders when I went to visit. What I heard was after they went to the top to pick Orlando Pace, they might trade down or pick a Walter Jones, who is another exceptional offensive linesman. I had no idea they wanted me or would take me. It was a surprise to me when the time came.
Q. A lot of expectations going in to play for Al?
DARRELL RUSSELL: I have a lot of expectations for myself. I want to come in, I want to contribute. I want to pose a threat. As far as the hard work that I've had up till now, you know, I feel it's just the beginning. I have to turn it up. I'm starting from the beginning; something I'll have to deal with.
Q. How about his reputation, a guy that is going to be a hands-on kind of guy?
DARRELL RUSSELL: That gives me confidence, makes me more comfortable knowing that I'm under such a person with a mind of his. I mean, he has an impeccable record. It's pretty obvious. Everywhere you go, everyone either fears or doesn't like the Raiders. That should tell you something. I mean, it feels good knowing I'm going into a program that's been there and done that, as far as winning championships and having a successful team.
Q. What was it like for you to sit in the back when you could hear your name called? Can you talk about any emotions?
DARRELL RUSSELL: I thought it was funny. Everybody else was so uptight. I was trying to stay awake drinking Coke. As soon as the time came, everyone cheered. I thought it was funny. It's a different type of feeling. I don't know what to say.
Q. Have you been tight over the past few days?
DARRELL RUSSELL: I've been tied up, I haven't been really tight (laughter). I haven't really been tight, I've been relaxed. My thought process, my thinking as far as pertaining to the draft, it's not in my hands. No need to sit there stressing when I'm not making any decision. All I can do is be Darrel. If they like me, they'll pick me; if they don't, so be it. Whoever picks me, I play my heart out for them and their fans, go from there.
Q. Did you kid Keyshawn about his book?
DARRELL RUSSELL: I haven't talked to Keyshawn since before the book. I've heard everything, different rumors about that book. There's nothing I can really say about it. I know nothing about it. I know he had a book signing out at USC on Friday. I heard it's pretty interesting, actually.
Q. What are your thoughts on the AFC West with Denver and Kansas City teams on top for the last few years, any thoughts ongoing?
DARRELL RUSSELL: I think it's one of the most competitive divisions out there. You have a lot of teams that are on an even plane. It's any man's game when you're dealing with that division. It's very interesting. The main thing is you're always going to be on your toes.
Q. Aside from state taxes, are you happy to stay in California?
DARRELL RUSSELL: Well, I mean, I thought it would have been nice to play over here in front of my family. They've only seen me play twice. Like I said, it's not in my hands. Wherever I go, I'm just going to have to deal with it. I'm very excited to play in Oakland. I love the Bay Area, nice area, been there before.
If you actually read all of that you are a better person than I am.
Here is a link to the source.
Anyway, back to Darrell, as one blog I found points out, the saddest thing about his death in a fiery mess at 90 miles per hour is that it was presaged by the death of
Justin Strelczyck, and of course by the tragic demise of
Bobby Phills... That one still hurts.
Darrell, you are gone, but I will always love you, and remember you not as the ecstasy riddled suspended Raider but as the heart that spoke, the expectations that lived, and, alas, the expectations that died.
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