Last we heard from Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, he was jaunting to Las Vegas' Palms Resort & Casino during mandatory team meetings. Now we have news that he's being crowned King of a popular Mardi Gras parade for this year's Fat Tuesday proceedings.
JaMarcus Russell is having a much funner Raiders off-season than you are.
Russell will be crowned "King Elexis I" of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, in festivities taking place in Mobile, Alabama for this year's Mardi Gras. He'll be wearing a 20-foot long robe that has to be seen to be believed while riding an elaborately decorated float through the streets of his hometown Mardi Gras parade.
From what I understand of what happens with girls and beads at Mardi Gras parades, I'm guessing JaMarcus is going to get plenty of throwing practice in that weekend.
Bloggers are taking it as another opportunity to knock Russell's questionable fitness regimen. As one commenter at Deadspin wisecracked, "We're gonna need a bigger float."
But there is a redeeming side to this story. Russell's mom Zina Russell-Anderson was going to be in the Queen's Court of this particular Mardi Gras parade back in 1985. But she had to back out, because she became pregnant with JaMarcus. Now that son of hers is serving as the King of this Mardi Gras parade.
Some Raiders fans find JaMarcus' participation in a Mardi Gras parade inappropriate following such a disastrous season. I would disagree, and I'd argue that Russell is a perfect choice. It is, after all, called "Fat Tuesday".
Sports
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who's trying to convince his bosses how much they need him to go cover this Mardi Gras story in person.
