Marinovich Ordered Into Drug Rehab

Former USC and NFL Raider quarterback Todd Marinovich was ordered into a six-month drug rehabilitation program Friday, to be followed by six months of outpatient treatment, for violating terms of his probation.

The 35-year-old Marinovich, who is in custody, appeared in Orange County Superior Court’s drug court program. He was sentenced by Judge Wendy Lindley.

“It’s not a drug court program,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Michelle Clesceri said. “It’s more like a one-year ‘Let’s see if you can get all this done and recover’ situation. He did express to the court his willingness to be free of drugs and live a drug-free life.”

Marinovich will remain in county jail before returning to court Thursday. During that time, he will be interviewed by a staff member of the live-in program to determine if he will be accepted, Clesceri said.

Marinovich, who gave his residence as Newport Beach, was first arrested on drug charges in January 1991 while at USC. He was a first-round draft choice of the then-Los Angeles Raiders later that year, and played with them for two seasons before being released.