Ex-USC and Raiders QB Marinovich arrested naked with drugs

Todd Marinovich allegedly meandered into someone’s backyard, in the buff and toting marijuana. Officers responded about 9:20 p.m.to a report of a “naked person” crouching in a group of bushes near Venta Spur Trail, according to a statement issued Monday by the Irvine Police Department.

Marinovich, who is 47 and lives in Irvine, was found in a backyard, carrying items in a brown bag. The residents of the home had also called police and reported seeing the suspect on their property.

Marinovich was cited and booked for alleged trespassing, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

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.

Marinovich’s problems with drugs have been well-documented since rising to stardom as a freshman USC quarterback in the 1989 season, culminating with a Trojans victory in the Rose Bowl over MI.

Marinovich was arrested for cocaine possession a month after the 1990 Sun Bowl. The Raiders cut Marinovich in 1993 after he failed his third marijuana test, which led to the end of his National Football League career. The years since then have been marked with numerous drug-related arrests.

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