HOUSTON - Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell remains confident in his ability, convinced he will get a second chance in the NFL and remains committed to turning his football career around when he spoke with FOX 26 Sports Wednesday in Houston.
Russell has been working for the past two and a half months with former NBA head coach John Lucas in Houston.
As a player in the NBA Lucas had his own share of issues and has developed a tremendous track record for helping troubled athletes get back on track.
"He said he saw the devil and been back," Russell said. "Anybody that can get themselves out of that situation I think can go and tell me about it and warn me from the things he did done wrong and make sure I don't make those same mistakes.
"He came to Mobile, Alabama, take time out of his schedule just to come get little old me. I kind of say he's like my angel. God brought him to me."
The Raiders released Russell in May after three unsuccessful seasons in which he compiled a 7-18 record as a starting quarteback.
"I went and got him," Lucas said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "What I saw in him was me 33 years ago when I was out (playing in the NBA) in Golden State. "His troubles started there and so did mine after I left the Houston Rockets.
"I saw a lot of common denominators. We were both number one (overall draft) picks, but JaMarcus is working hard and doing really good."
One blip on Russell's radar concerns his arrest in Alabama in July for possession of codeine, a controlled substance.
However during a hearing in August a friend of Russell's took responsibility for mixing a drink with codeine that was found in Russell's home.
To date no one connected to the case has been indicted.
"That's something that's long gone," Russell said. "Guys in the NFL that came back had some things more serious than that. I think that's a minor setback."
With Lucas Russell is running, lifting and throwing.
Lucas will run his show with tough love and Russell has come to terms with it.
"Typical men, sometimes we butt heads, but we talk it out like men should and that comes with the territory," Russell said.
"He's always straight-up and doesn't sugar-coat anything. Being able to trust him and that means a lot to me as a whole, is being able to trust someone," Russell said.
The former star quarterback at LSU really misses playing the game.
"Oh, a lot," Russell said. "I sit there and watch some of the things disappointed because I know I'm supposed to be out there."
Russell wants the folks who make the decisions in the National Football League to understand that he is a changed man.
"As a person, by going through these trials and tribulations it made me grow," Russell said. "Grow as a person.
"As a player I kind of think it did the same, but you have to be out there to tell that and deserving that second chance. It's not much you can really tell them. It's something they have to see for themselves."
Russell remains convinced he will get another shot at playing quarterback in the NFL.
"I know for a fact," Russell said. "I have faith in God and strong beliefs. I know for a fact it's going to happen.
"I can't say when, but until it happens I am going to stay here in Houston and continue to work out each and every day no matter how long it takes."
Asked if he has any doubts he can help an NFL team Russell said, "None. None whatsoever. I need to be there."
Russell has been working for the past two and a half months with former NBA head coach John Lucas in Houston.
As a player in the NBA Lucas had his own share of issues and has developed a tremendous track record for helping troubled athletes get back on track.
"He said he saw the devil and been back," Russell said. "Anybody that can get themselves out of that situation I think can go and tell me about it and warn me from the things he did done wrong and make sure I don't make those same mistakes.
"He came to Mobile, Alabama, take time out of his schedule just to come get little old me. I kind of say he's like my angel. God brought him to me."
The Raiders released Russell in May after three unsuccessful seasons in which he compiled a 7-18 record as a starting quarteback.
"I went and got him," Lucas said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "What I saw in him was me 33 years ago when I was out (playing in the NBA) in Golden State. "His troubles started there and so did mine after I left the Houston Rockets.
"I saw a lot of common denominators. We were both number one (overall draft) picks, but JaMarcus is working hard and doing really good."
One blip on Russell's radar concerns his arrest in Alabama in July for possession of codeine, a controlled substance.
However during a hearing in August a friend of Russell's took responsibility for mixing a drink with codeine that was found in Russell's home.
To date no one connected to the case has been indicted.
"That's something that's long gone," Russell said. "Guys in the NFL that came back had some things more serious than that. I think that's a minor setback."
With Lucas Russell is running, lifting and throwing.
Lucas will run his show with tough love and Russell has come to terms with it.
"Typical men, sometimes we butt heads, but we talk it out like men should and that comes with the territory," Russell said.
"He's always straight-up and doesn't sugar-coat anything. Being able to trust him and that means a lot to me as a whole, is being able to trust someone," Russell said.
The former star quarterback at LSU really misses playing the game.
"Oh, a lot," Russell said. "I sit there and watch some of the things disappointed because I know I'm supposed to be out there."
Russell wants the folks who make the decisions in the National Football League to understand that he is a changed man.
"As a person, by going through these trials and tribulations it made me grow," Russell said. "Grow as a person.
"As a player I kind of think it did the same, but you have to be out there to tell that and deserving that second chance. It's not much you can really tell them. It's something they have to see for themselves."
Russell remains convinced he will get another shot at playing quarterback in the NFL.
"I know for a fact," Russell said. "I have faith in God and strong beliefs. I know for a fact it's going to happen.
"I can't say when, but until it happens I am going to stay here in Houston and continue to work out each and every day no matter how long it takes."
Asked if he has any doubts he can help an NFL team Russell said, "None. None whatsoever. I need to be there."
