Former NFL No. 1 overall pick to fans: ‘Don’t call me a bust, period’

Former NFL quarterback JaMarcus Russell has a warning for fans who want to call him the biggest bust in NFL draft history: Keep it to yourself, or he’ll make you regret it.

Russell was selected by the then-Oakland Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 out of LSU, ahead of wide receiver Calvin Johnson and offensive lineman Joe Thomas, both of whom are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Russell played three seasons in the NFL, completing 52.1% of his passes for 4,083 yards, 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He was benched halfway through his third season and released when he returned for minicamp ahead of his fourth season. No team signed him and he was out of the league.

On last week’s episode of the “Raw Room” podcast, Russell described interactions he has had with fans, saying their approach has angered him.

“A lot of times, they don’t know how to speak to you,” Russell said. “They can’t say, ‘What’s up, man?’ and just be cool. Don’t come up to me saying, ‘Oh, the biggest bust, JaMarcus Russell.’ If you say anything (like that), no (expletive). Now I’m going to bust you in your mouth the biggest … Saying what you said, I understand, but guess what? That’s like saying, I’m a (expletive)...Don’t call me a bust, period.”

Despite his anger at how fans approach him, Russell said he understands why people view him as a bust.

“I look at it and I ask why are they calling me the biggest bust?” Russell said. “Because I was the best that didn’t turn out good. I can understand that … But they weren’t better than me. That’s why they say biggest bust and that’s cool with me. But play on your own terms and at your own risk. That’s all I’m saying.”

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