MOBILE, Ala. — Former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell pleaded not guilty to a charge of illegal drug possession Tuesday.
Russell, 24, is a former LSU star who was released by Oakland after being the NFL’s No. 1 draft choice in 2007. He is charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, codeine syrup.
Authorities have said he did not have a prescription for the drug and that he was arrested July 5 at his home as part of an undercover investigation.
His attorney, Donald Briskman, said in a phone interview that there were about nine or 10 people in the house and that he believes once all the evidence is known, Russell will be exonerated.
Russell has been free on $2,500 bond.
Waiting game plays on
MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre said Vikings coach Brad Childress stopped to visit him on his way home from vacation in Florida, but no deadline was imposed for the quarterback to announce a decision about returning for a 20th NFL season.
“Our visit was great,” Favre told USA Today. “I think the world of him (and) his patience.”
Favre injured his ankle in a loss to the Saints in the NFC championship game and had surgery on it this summer.
“After almost nine weeks, it’s not where I would like it to be, but I’m working at it,” he said. “Maybe it never gets to where I want it to be. Forty years old . . . three surgeries . . . that’s all you need to know.”
Namath headlines ring
NEW YORK — Joe Namath and Curtis Martin are among six Jets greats in the first class of the team’s ring of honor at its new stadium.
Weeb Ewbank, Winston Hill, Joe Klecko and Don Maynard will also be enshrined Aug. 16 at halftime of the first game at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the preseason opener between the Jets and Giants.
When Namath made his guarantee that the Jets would beat the Colts in the third Super Bowl, Ewbank was his coach, Hill his left tackle and Maynard his top receiver.
Klecko was a dominant defensive lineman in the early 1980s and Martin won the league rushing title in 2004.
Footnotes.
The Panthers signed receiver Brandon LaFell, leaving quarterback Jimmy Clausen as the team’s only unsigned draft pick.
• The Cowboys signed offensive tackle Sam Young and defensive end Sean Lissemore to four-year deals.
• The Buccaneers signed defensive tackle Brian Price, a second-round draft pick from UCLA, to a four-year contract.
The Associated Press
