When Nick Saban signed quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2003, it was considered a big get for the LSU signing class.

Russell, who was from Mobile, choose LSU over a number of top notch programs.

After redshirting, he had 3 productive years with the Tigers, ending his collegiate career with a Sugar Bowl win over Notre Dame before foregoing his senior season and declaring for the NFL Draft.

Russell's physical skills were undeniable. He could kneel down at midfield and still throw a ball through the uprights.

With the first overall pick of the 2007 draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Russell, hoping he would bring them back to the top of the NFL.

Three years later, Russell was waived by the Raiders and never played an NFL snap again.

Russell was reportedly lacked work ethic, and stories like the one former NFL offensive lineman David Diehl back that up.

Russell's lie reminds me of a few I told when I was 7 years old.

My Dad is an avid reader. He made me focus on it at a young age, and I definitely thank him for it now.

However, there were times he knew I hadn't read a book he gave me. He once told me what a book was about, then a week later asked what I thought of the beginning of the book.

More or less, I repeated the synopsis he had given me the week before.

Problem was, it was a synopsis of a different book. Busted.

Luckily for me, he was my Dad and couldn't send me to waivers.

Luckily for Russell, his $68 million contract came with $31.5 million fully guaranteed.

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