JaMarcus Russell: I’ll play in NFL for free if given second chance

Former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell said that he’d be willing to play for free if given a second chance to make it in the NFL.

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Former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell said that he would be willing to play for free if given a second chance to make it in the NFL, he toldSports Illustrated.

Russell hasn’t played in the NFL since being cut by the Oakland Raiders before the 2010 season and failing in a comeback attempt with the Chicago Bears in 2013.

In a film for SI, Russell says that he is prepared to move on to the next phase of his life without football, but that he still has the competitive fire to play.

“You might see me back,” he said. “You never know, man. You never know... Whatever it is—I can be a water boy and work my way into a scout team. It doesn't matter. I’ll go play for free.”

Russell even wrote letters to teams last season, hoping to be invited to a camp.

He was drafted by the Raiders in 2007, and finished with a 7–18 record as a starting quarterback.

Watch the full SI Films short on Russell here.