ESPN documentary, "The Marinovich Project"

[Machado]

Did anybody catch this last week?
I saw the film on Sunday.

This is one guy who I have forgotten about, but was very interested in learning his entire story.

His father was out of his mind. No wonder Todd burnt out in his 2nd year in the NFL. No wonder Todd turned to drugs while in High School and cocaine in college.

The USC coach had it out for him.

The actually footage from his high school games, college games were priceless. That footage told a chunk of the story.

In the end I had fogotten he attempted to play in the CFL(for money to support his drug habit) and tore up his knee of the very first play of practice. There was footage of him getting help off the practice field, wearing his CFL uniform.

I highly recommend the film.

[ParaDime77]

I missed the episode, any idea when they are going to replay it again?

[johnk5150]

I missed the episode, any idea when they are going to replay it again?

The doc did a great job showing how the media at the time thought his dad was some kind of controlling monster, when Todd himself said his father asked him several times if he wanted what they were doing and supported his dad 100%. It wasn't until he was in high school that he started burning out/missing out on being a kid. I didn't get the impression that he resented his dad so much that he wished he'd have been more vocal about wanting to have outside interests besides being a ball player. I coach both of my sons' basketball teams. Neither of them are flashing any signs of being any more interested in anything but shooting and running around a gym for an hour. If they did, I wonder how I'd handle it if they told me they wanted to take it to the next level. I probably would hire someone to work with them with way more coaching experience than I could provide, but I wouldn't ride them 24/7 about nothing but fitness and basketball.

[Tommy]

My cousin was a State Champ in wrestling and pretty much forced his son to to it too and to ride dirt bikes. His kid really didn't like any of it at all.

It sounds bad but if he wasn't making him do these things the kid was inside playing video games all weekend...in Florida.

I don't have kids so I don't know, but I kinda see both sides there.

[ParaDime77]

Caught it late last night, very sad story that unfortunately happens too often with kids being pushed too hard to succeed in a certain sport/endeavor.

I was unaware that Marv himself played at USC and for the Raiders, his intensity essentially bit him in the ass later on in life, leaving him to be an old man without barely any love in his life, just a bunch of pictures....

The clips of Todd throwing the ball while playing for LA Avengers were unreal, it looked like a pitcher throwing a baseball, unreal form and speed on the ball!

[johnk5150]

My cousin was a State Champ in wrestling and pretty much forced his son to to it too and to ride dirt bikes. His kid really didn't like any of it at all.

Marinovich made it crystal clear that he loved football. Several times.

[bane]

I coach my kid's baseball team. He really loves the game, and he's a good player moving up the divisions. I try to keep him grounded with modest goals but we're always working on helping him improve. I was talking to one of the other player's Dad the other day about burn out etc, and he told me about his sister who was a bad ass softball player when they were kids. Apparently their Dad went all out paying for private lessons, sending video to schools etc. She got a full ride scholarship, but quit the team before the first season even started. As a parent, it's a fine line. If your kid is talented, how much is helping them get where they want to be vs. how much is too much?

[Machado]

Nice to see someone else saw the film as well.

Once again the media created a symbol that probably was not 100% accurate.
Todd did say quite a few times that he loved to play and above all, he loved winning.
The still photo of him flipping off an opposing player and he was on the ground was terrific. That is the type of player you want on your team-Someone who wants to win in the worst way.

When a kid at such a young age receives so much attention and is given the nickname, "Robo QB", there is no chance the kid can live up to the expectations. Impossible.
If he won a NCAA title, people would ask when will he win another.

[ParaDime77]

This thread makes me think about the Tiger Woods skit on SNL that was played by Tim Meadows when Earl Woods would tape the clubs to his hands

[johnk5150]

This thread makes me think about the Tiger Woods skit on SNL that was played by Tim Meadows when Earl Woods would tape the clubs to his hands

While that's only a skit, Agassi's dad used to duct tape ping pong paddles to his hand and made him practice for hours when he was still in diapers.

[Kid-Wicked]

when he was here in b.c. i remember him throwing a nerf football that looked like a dart or an arrow every halftime as part of some fan interaction.

he threw that thing 70 yards. unreal. the guy had a cannon.

to this day, if the lions' qb is having a shitty day you can hear me yell,"put in marinovich" from the stands.