The Most Insane Father in Sports History

[@NotSimonL]

Believe it or not, I ended up in the same rehab as Todd in 2019. I didn't know who he was for the first couple weeks and one day someone told me who he is and I was shocked, because he was such a personable, intelligent person and in groups he always had this charisma that drew everyone's attention. I had a few one on one convos with him and he is an exceptional person given what he's been through. Taught me a lot. Great guy.

[@bnzstheboy6520]

A great guy in Rehab 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤷‍♂🤷‍♂

[@rokyericksonroks]

All the best to both you and Todd. Rehabing is tough.

[@2Much2lose]

@@bnzstheboy6520 you can’t be a good guy in rehab? Lmao they’re not murderers you weirdo.

[@unknownd5679]

@@bnzstheboy6520you’ve never experienced that’s why your laughing. Not funny at all to make fun of ppl trying to do better for themselves. Grow up bro

[@ralphmelvin1046]

​@@unknownd5679very good comment my friend👍

[@adityarao8729]

Honestly, with all that pressure and the "unfulfilled prophecy" on him, it's a miracle he didn't manage to take his own life.

[@iGaveLiaHIV]

Yooo I knew a guy from middle school named Aditya Rao. Where are you from???

[@conjo0]

@@iGaveLiaHIV its gotta be this guy right? ive never heard a name like that.

[@CharlesH-t9r]

set the edge mentioned that his maternal grandparents (his mom's parents) they spoiled him when he stayed with them, letting him be a kid, eat junk food, and play outside, i think that definately was a positive influence on him and probably did help him stay sane and he looks like his mom...its like god already knew what was coming and made him have no resemblance to his father

[@BrotherK-ex2co]

4 years old and he's already being timed. His dad waited too long.

[@ck-1649]

Right?

[@AdequateEmily]

Some things are much bigger than football. And frankly I can’t be the only one that knows that expectations can destroy a kid’s passion. Let your kids be kids, let them find their path in life, and don’t treat them poorly if it’s not what you imagined…they’re humans, not toys you can mold to be what you want. PS I adore Marinovich’s art, particularly as a fan of surrealism

[@courylanders4142]

Excatly. Even if their successful in sports, business, or whatever. They need to be stable. There are successful people who can't handle success. Many times the public sees them crash in public. Many times their flaws are kept private.

[@Jason-si8iu]

Yup the odds of a kid growing up & getting a pro contract are steep

[@robertchew739]

Most kids who play sports would give anything to be the player that Todd Marinovich became. So much so, that in the movie Hoosiers Gene Hackman (Coach Norman Dale) says' You know, most people would kill... to be treated like a god, just for a few moments". He said that after Jimmy Chitwood's guardian said (Myra Fleener) You know, a basketball hero around here is treated like a god, er, uh, how can he ever find out what he can really do? I don't want this to be the high point of his life. I've seen them, the real sad ones. They sit around the rest of their lives talking about the glory days when they were seventeen years old. How many of us know athletes in towns/cities that are still treated like gods for what they did in High School. I ask any of you, is there anything wrong with that? How many of parents who couldnt even tell you where the gym was located in their high schools, the kids who never went and saw their own high school athletic events, as soon as their kids started playing sports, all in the sudden became that parent who now cared about high school sports. We have all seen them. I have to laugh at them, therefore, @AdequateEmily when you wrote some things are much bigger than sports, you needed to include those parents I just mentioned and most of them were the ones smoking cigs in the bathroom or overdosing. People can say whatever they want about Marv, his father, but he got Todd all that fame. Todd didnt have a problem with all those people from all over the country knowing his name. Todd choose to do drugs and drink alcohol because he wasnt having the success he did at USC as he did in High school. He didnt know how to handle the failures. Is that Marv's fault as well? His father was his biggest fan. Look at how may pro athletes went to Marv and how many of them excelled. We heard about Todd here in NJ back in 1989 when ESPN did stories on him, The Robo QB. Sometimes, kids have to look at themselves and be proud of what they accomplished and stop blaming others for their failures. Chew's Gloucester NJ

[@matt15]

I feel bad for Todd man, and I’m grateful for my dad, he isn’t perfect but I’m glad he didn’t push me into something like that, also having Father Time by Kendrick as background music is a nice touch

[@aandwdabest]

Absolutely - The beat for that song is really damn good. It’s not the first time set the edge used beats from Kendrick though. In several videos he used the beat for “hol up” from Kendrick’s Section 80 mixtape.

[@aj_jk1337]

Psssh you're missing _Alberto Balsam_ by Aphex Twin in Marv's section. That song is a banger!

[@JK-vc7ie]

You didn’t have what it takes no matter how hard your dad pushed. Let’s be real here.

[@RoscoPColtrane17]

An Newton’s dad rings a bell

[@Kings0424]

​@@JK-vc7ie Bruh shut up

[@JepMasta]

Jason Whitlock had the best quote ever about Todd Marinovich “if you don’t let a kid be a kid when they’re a kid, they’re gonna be a kid when they’re a grown up”

[@gregfrank4115]

And get into far worse situations with no safety net.

[@bronzeandsteel3344]

Made me smile when I found out he does art now. That little scene early on when he was drawing in high-school made me go "Whoa, he's pretty good at that." So it was a really nice moment when you find out he's a full on artist now.

[@gamerboy6787]

Marv is the kind of bully who peaks in high school, and goes on to barely hold onto some menial, minimum-wage job for his entire adulthood while never getting out of his podunk rural town. He is that KIND of person, but of course, he had enough athletic talent to make it into the NFL. And once he got it in his head that he was gonna live vicariously through his son, no matter what, come hell or high water, regardless of what psychological damage he inflicted on his son... holy sh**, the man was not gonna be denied. Marv RUINED his son's life. Quite literally. He did permanent and lasting damage to a boy -- his OWN SON -- starting when the lad was too young to know what the heck was going on.

[@mikewrasman5103]

Sounds like a football player that I knew. He was the most valuable player of his high school conference. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of his life.

[@BonzoKilbourn]

@@mikewrasman5103 Yeah I think I know that guy. It Al something. Gundy... Mundy... Dundy... Give me a sec. It'll come to me.

[@f430ferrari5]

Todd ruined his own life. Stop with the victim mentality.

[@mrjdgibbs]

@@f430ferrari5 Because parenting doesn't matter and there's absolutely nothing you can learn from the story as a parent or potential parent. .. okay. /S

[@f430ferrari5]

@@mrjdgibbs nobody said parenting doesn’t matter but there are circumstances where kids were brought up worse and they didn’t end up like Todd. Come on. It’s crazy how Marv gets the blame also for Todd’s actions that occurred when Marv wasn’t even there. 😂🤣 You must be a Democ Rat. Just stop with the victim mentality. Losers.

[@EdmacZ]

Todd Marinovich was raised to NEVER fail. To be invincible. To never fall short. To never learn. Without failure, you never grow. Todd never grew. He wasn't allowed to grow up.

[@hyperchord]

What do you mean by this? I wonder because I was allowed quit playing little league because I got hit by a pitch. I think that really did a number on my ability to face my fears. I remember wanting to quit and from then on how easy it was to get my way. I'd like to think I'm mature now, in my 40s, but there are times when I don't think I'm strong at all. And that mindset is a killer

[@purplefood1]

@@hyperchord The kid wasn't raised he was trained. To fail is human, it's the one thing you can promise someone will happen, you will fuck up, you will get things wrong no one has ever been undefeated or unbeaten in everything they have done. The thing is people actually do learn from mistakes and losses you simply have to encourage them to not be disheartened. When you set the bar that any failure is unacceptable not only are you placing a vast amount of psychological stress on a child (who know probably thinks his parent's love for him is contingent on how well he performs) you're basically stunting their emotional growth, as a result they're usually not that mature and can't really handle the fame and money and genuine competition at the highest levels.

[@brandonkim8422]

@@hyperchord quitting and failing are two different things. imagine if u were scolded and berated every time u struck out or were thrown out in little league.

[@hyperchord]

@@brandonkim8422 Something like that DID happen. When I was young I was always yelled at for failing

[@brandonkim8422]

@@hyperchord yeah and howd that work out for u, since u said u ended up quitting anyways. Even if it wasnt the main reason, being berated and yelled at makes kids either hate the sport or scared to try things for fear of failure. Neither is good, there should be a healthy balance of pushing ur kid to keep going while allowing them room to fall over and get back up. You tell ur kids “don’t give up” not “don’t make any mistakes”.

[@kennycai8695]

You want to know the real irony of the story of the Marinovichs? Compare this to some of the other second or third generation players in the NFL, father and son who have played the game. Unlike Marinovich, these fathers never tried to impose their ambitions on their children, some even actually discouraging their sons from playing due to them experiencing how tough it can be to always be on the road. One notable case I know of is John Bosa, a former 1st round pick whose career was derailed by injuries. The father of Joey and Nick Bosa actually tried to discourage his sons from playing football due to his own experiences, but after seeing how much passion his boys had for the sport, relented on his stance. Today, both sons are premier edge rushers in the League, and while Nick may have had an early scare due to his social media history, both Bosa brothers appear pretty well-adjusted to life as an athlete. The life lesson to take away from this is to let nature take its course. If your children do not share the same passions as you, drop it, or at the very least, leave the door open if said child decides to reconsider. Trying for force something down someone's throat, especially a child, will only result in harmful long-term ramifications, not to mention physical and emotional trauma from such experiences.

[@remylucai]

Man, Archie Manning career was wasted on a terrible team, but somehow, 2 of his 3 sons went on to become 2x Super Bowl Champions, and ambassadors of The League.

[@CharlesH-t9r]

@@remylucai yup and archie did the same as john bosa he tried to talk them out of playing especially after cooper's career ending leg injury....eli and peyton still wanted to play

[@fromthehaven94]

I like how Peyton and Eli literally have different temperaments.

[@remylucai]

@@fromthehaven94 And Cooper is right in the middle of them both.

[@tomd1434]

@@CharlesH-t9r I remember Eli saying his father told him once that “I just want you to be a good guy.” Now that I have a son I’m going to tell him the same thing one day. Ultimately I just want him to be happy and to treat people the way he wants to be treated. Go play ball and have fun. If it’s not fun you’re doing it wrong. We only live life once. Taking sports to seriously is ridiculous

[@brucesimian3743]

My dad was a very sick man and at 64, I still struggle multiple times daily as a result of his abuse. A truly horrible father.

[@trippietoadie1296]

Same here. That pos raped muh buns

[@3-TEA]

This piece brought up memories and some trauma I didn’t even realize I had lol…. Marv Marinovich became my trainer at the age of 12…. I was a high level volleyball player and he trained me daily after school/before practice and a hardcore regiment 5 days a week in the summer…. In a blazing hot barn that had been converted into a high tech gym in San Juan Capistrano. He was the most intense coach I have ever worked with and I had to laugh to myself when you talked about the spit on the windshield bcz I have VIVID memories of that man spitting all over my face when he’d be yelling and pushing me to get through more reps of whatever we were working on. He was crazy disciplined and expected the same from his athletes whether it was nutritional or physical. I was on the zone diet( which I believe he helped create with a guy named Dr. Barry Sears)at 12 years old sweating in a barn working my ass off all summer while my friends were at the beach. This was all in preparation for my freshman year at Santa Margarita catholic high school where I did make varsity and started as a freshman ….and then went on to play D1 college volleyball on a full athletic scholarship. Did the man know athletics, and strength training? No question about it…. He was so far ahead of his time in regards to the specialization in sports when it comes to strengthening and conditioning (plyometrics were huge) and the preparation of young athletes to become the best and compete at the highest levels. The problem is like with anything… there is a cost… and more often than not… it’s a mental one which it definitely was for me. I truly feel for Todd because his fathers love was conditional. As the mother of a boy who is already showing a gift in pitching far beyond the norm …. All I can do is take what I learned from my own experiences and make sure that I never subject my son to the same. Too often sports become a kids only identity….. and when it goes away which it always does…. You hope you’re left with something more than just being an athlete.

[@phobowl]

Dang. Nice story. Imagine how Todd felt having to do that type of training since he could walk. Anyone would crumble.

[@concretekeithkl]

Good read!

[@bigglilwayne7050]

He got results, fine man and even finer coach

[@L_Train]

It's regimen, not regiment. There a no T, that's a different word entirely.

[@barkmark4479]

Happened to my HS friends, were very talented, got burnt outz once becme an adult. Talkings abouts a dad being your coach though, keep into prospective.

[@keeganwahlmeier9153]

A fantastic add of “Father Time” behind Todd’s upbringing. A story that truly relates to his situation.

[@aandwdabest]

I came from a generations of home invaders; And I got daddy issues, that’s on me.

[@17layersofspace]

Everything them four walls had taught me, made habits bury deep

[@barrykidd1977]

Watched a guy in my hometown in Alabama go through the same thing. His dad was the strength coach for the University of North Alabama, and he pushed his son exactly the same way. Ended up almost the same, but he rebelled hard during his senior year of HS. His dad kicked him out of the house, and he couch surfed for the rest of that year. Ended up as a graphic artist, and the last time I checked, his dad hadn’t spoken to him since and still won’t let him come to family functions 30 years later.

[@fruitloopz311]

L dad, L family

[@bigdogpete43]

My dad used to sit in a lawn chair outside the outfield fence. After the game, we always talked about it on the way home. It was some of the best coaching I ever received. I cherish those memories.

[@razormc954]

Todd Marinovitch is a warning of how being overly strict as a parent actively ruins your kid

[@KMcNally117]

For every Tiger Woods there's a Todd Marinovich

[@gerryfegan3608]

Yeah but parents that are too loose, product is the same

[@courylanders4142]

@@KMcNally117 Remember, Tiger had a major crash too. No pun intended, but Tiger hasn't been the same since November of 09.

[@HeathNation2465]

Takes notes, Newman family

[@brandynhenry7107]

@Will Muny worse and infinitely more common especially if you consider being an absent parent the ultimate form of loose parenting, which you should

[@choosecarefully408]

You can't _both see_ children as an extension of yourself *and* love them. You have to see them _as_ themselves in order to love them (separate from you).

[@richardtherichard26]

Yea thanks doc. What college you go to again that taught you how to be the perfect parent?

[@choosecarefully408]

@@richardtherichard26 ... parenting is taught at colleges? Does Dr. Phil know this?

[@Spyker8921]

​@@richardtherichard26Why so salty?

[@ThePizzaDevourer]

"Caught the eye of Al Davis, who really never met a player he couldn't give a second chance to." Your writing is on-point! This was a super informative and enjoyable episode. Really wish things had turned out better for Todd.

[@randydubin7118]

The crazy thing was, several years before, they didn't even have Dan Marino on their draft board because of drug use *RUMORS* (and I should underline rumors, as there was no proof of Marino and drug use when he was in college), but yet the same team drafted Marinovich after a possession arrest, even saying he was better coming out of college than Brett Favre. We obviously know how that came out. Needless to say, I lost all respect for Al Davis after I heard that, because I can't stand hypocrites.

[@meligoth]

From fathers pushing their sons in athletics or other endeavors to "tiger moms ", at the end of the day, it was never about the best interests of their children, but them living vicariously through them.

[@thebestcentaur]

"Being raised without the capacity to accept failure as a part of life is a hand you're going to get absolutely destroyed playing." Truer words have rarely been spoken.

[@henrymyrickjr.6572]

That's so true right there 👍

[@beandipcartography]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@fish9905]

That's BS, how you think NFL players get there

[@j.menapace625]

There's also a difference between accepting failure and tolerating it. Just because you failed at something doesn't mean you have to like it. It can still piss you off.

[@kenxclout]

The book Do Hard Things talks about obsessive parents in sports. The author makes the argument the parent who were mediocre in sports are projecting that on their children. The parents who were good weren’t crazy most of the time.

[@CharlesH-t9r]

i definately agree.....deion sanders intentionally didnt even try to put his kids in any sports he even mentioned marv as his main motivation as to why.....and hes a hall of famer....the sports media didnt help much with their love for hard nosed assholes like todd's dad , theyve done alot of damage as well, todd is a great artist he should keep that up

[@user-sg8kq7ii3y]

The book makes no sense at all. Marv Marinovich played football for USC and the Oakland Raiders. To say he was "mediocre" would be an inaccurate statement. ANYONE who makes it to the NFL (even for just a single season, and even if he never gets into a game) is not "mediocre". Just to make it to the NFL, one needs to be better than 99% of the football players out there.

[@user-sg8kq7ii3y]

@Teacher Doug NO ONE who makes it to NFL, even for one season, is mediocre, pal.

[@kennycai8695]

It's a bit hard to define "mediocre", cause there are instances of players who had either mediocre or outright terrible NFL careers who did not try and project their failures onto their children. Guys like Terrence Metcalf (father of WR DK Metcalf, former OL) and John Bosa (father of Joey and Nick Bosa, former DL) appear pretty normal, and while their children may have some brushes with the media (DK Metcalf's facemask incident against Henry Black, Joey Bosa being triggered by Eagles fans, Nick Bosa's early social media history), but have turned out to be good players on the field.

[@soonerstingergtrwd2906]

As a father, nothing makes me prouder than watching my kids succeed at sports and in life. I also deeply feel their failures. I don't blame them for losing, I try to encourage them by pointing out what they did well and give help where I can.

[@braedenirvine5408]

I love father time in the background of the todds upbringing section, such a nice detail

[@ShyOne1995]

I can’t say 100% know what happened to Todd but my dad did a pretty similar thing to me with wrestling, he had this whole dream that I would become Olympic caliber. My mom and stepdad got me out of there when I was 16 and I did exactly what Todd did I tried to continue doing the sports but I just didn’t enjoy it, I was much happier to hang out with my friends and get to actually be a high school kid. In just a few months I went from a quiet jock who had little to no friends and a ton of substance issues to a skater with a whole group of close friends. Let’s just say me and my father barely talk to each other and I could honestly care less if we stop talking, he still thinks he did nothing wrong even though he could literally face criminal charges for what he did. I’m sorry if anyone else had to experience crap like that, any person who does something like that isn’t a parent, they’re a monster. I hope everyone is living a good and happy life, I know it’s cliché but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

[@nitrox1613]

Not to make jokes but man that sounds like 90% of wrestling dads lol

[@bradydavis3121]

dont compare yourself to him

[@ethansprague2005]

Geez man, as a wrestler myself I cant imagine having to do the stuff we do against my own will.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Jimmy Piersall and his father is perhaps the most (in)famous example of this toxic phenomenon. A decade later, Tony Horton (another young baseball player for the Red Sox) permanently left the game after suffering a number of nervous breakdowns. He refused to speak about his baseball career for the rest of his life, almost pathologically avoiding his past. Less known is how Mickey Mantle's dad pushed him; to begin with, Mickey was named after Mutt Mantle's favorite player Mickey Cochrane. When he was struggling during his rookie year Mickey called his father for support. Mutt sped to his son...to scream at him for being a coward, a failure of a son, etc. There's ways to get your child into sports without abusing them. And you should never force your child into playing a sport when they don't want to.

[@zmr3352]

With Mantle, in the MLB Baseball Documentary, he did mention that when he was struggling in the minors after being demoted from the major league squad, he did call his dad and his dad did indeed visit him and gave him tough love. Mick didn't go into much detail beyond stating that his dad told him "Okay, I'll just put you back in the mines," or something like that. No excuse to go that overboard, but Mick did say that after the conversation, he said he'll make a go of it and everything worked out. Nevertheless, Mick's case was probably an exception instead of the rule. Wouldn't be the only exception with Mick considering how great he was for so long despite his problems.

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@zmr3352 I read a different account-it seems Mick was downplaying what happened in the documentary

[@zmr3352]

@@warlordofbritannia Probably.

[@TheRDW710]

I'm pretty sure his dad never raised his voice to him. Mickey sad his dad was so tired from work he didnt have it in him to raise his voice even when he was a kid and it was appropriate. His mother was the law in thier household. When he was struggling in the minors his dad drove to Kansas City to support him and Mickey said he didnt think he could hack it so his dad grabbed his suitcase and told him to pack his bags he could go back to Oklahoma and work in the mines with him. Thank god he didn't or we may have never seen what he went on to become.

[@TheRDW710]

Mutt definitely didn't speed to his son he was notorious for his slow driving. It took him 12 hours to make it from Commerce Oklahoma to Kansas city. Everyone anywhere near Mutt back in the day would laugh at how slow he would drive so much so they called him horse and buggy Mantle.

[@johnchedsey1306]

It's good to hear the latest update on Todd. May he stay clean and healthy as addition is a brutal enemy for anyone to deal with. His art is really striking and unique.

[@joeyc7861]

Thankfully it seems he’s turned to a life of multiplication

[@myleslong5584]

Blew me away when the story stated that Marinovich threw TEN TD’s while suffering withdrawals! How could he even PLAY? That is one tough mother f***er!

[@killbill5486]

Great to see him on the right path now. I met Todd years ago in his early recovery and always saw the light in his spirit.

[@jordank316]

The sad thing is that if the kid ends up being successful then the parent is praised as a great teacher and a caring and driven parent who wanted the best for their kid and wanted them to succeed. It’s only when it turns into a disaster, that the parents are called out for their awful behavior.

[@Spyker8921]

Not always though. Jos Verstappen is rightly called out

[@gerryfegan3608]

This brings back horrible memories... I wrestled and played ball as a Safety, back up Tailback. I broke a bone in my ankle during my sophomore year wrestling, then blew my knee out the following September when my cleat stuck in the ground and I took a low shot on my left leg. Ended up on painkillers. By 17 I was addicted to heroin. Ruined my life. Now I'm 26, clean over 5 almost 6 years and I've married and had a son. But sports can really do you in man

[@iananderson567]

Best of luck to you Gerry, you're a warrior brother, keep fighting!

[@gerryfegan3608]

@@iananderson567 thank you kindly

[@xzqzq]

I am so afraid of addiction, that after hip replacement, I threw the painkillers in a drawer and did without.

[@gerryfegan3608]

@@xzqzq the fact you were able to not take the pills is amazing. Good stuff, I hope your doing better now

[@xzqzq]

@@gerryfegan3608 The surgeon seemed surprised.

[@jamesrudd8705]

Reminds me of a coworker I had once. He drove his son to play all sports. The poor kid had knee surgery in the 8th grade. Then it was hip surgery in the 9th. Then back surgery. I kept insisting to him that he stop, but this guy was literally living vicariously through his son. It took two years of reporting him, but child protective services finally did intervene and put an end to it. The guy was livid, and always would ask who reported him. He was eventually fired.

[@fruitloopz311]

Holy shit

[@whywhy3289]

That’s so fucking stupid. Why run your kid into the ground when his body is still developing, never letting him recover. What the hell do you gain by that as a parent, he’s gonna be to damn banged up to make a college team.

[@Supreme36074]

@@fruitloopz311we’re guessing it was you?

[@Girlhead]

That story escalated quickly.

[@AV144K]

Explain how they put an end to it? Also, he assumed it was someone at his job who reported him and would randomly ask there who reported him? Doesn’t sound believable. These investigations take much more for CPS to actually do anything.

[@jesserobinson20]

For too many of us, the greatest lesson our parents teach us is what not to do and who not to be. Todd received a lot of this type of lesson.

[@SpiralIntoAVoid]

Just a sad sad story man.. I hope he can somehow as he’s still living, I hope he can find some semblance of serenity and peace in his life.

[@OCs_And_Stories]

Marv was a horrible and abusive man who ruined his son’s life for decades. I wish nothing but the best for Todd

[@PhilP8980]

he wasn't that terrible when he played, he just couldn't stay clean. It's unfortunate.

[@EquityCall]

What is overshadowed by his terrible parenting, is the fact that he developed a revolutionary training system.

[@SetTheEdge]

100%. He trained incredible athletes like Troy Polamalu and made Eastern Bloc training methods more mainstream. Unfortunate that his greatest impact is an example of what not to do as a parent.

[@bigbearkat2010]

And it appears he developed that training system at the cost of his kid's mental health

[@williambrightman1375]

​@@SetTheEdgeIf There was a Hall of Fame for bad parenting Marv Marinovich would be in a class all by himself.

[@jimnfl7134]

@@williambrightman1375 see some photos when he was a College QB, Todd just looked warn out and football just wasn't what he wanted.

[@MrPooly1459]

Alright, let's hope that this doesn't get taken down again.

[@SetTheEdge]

You and me both!

[@FrankPizza88]

@@SetTheEdge jew

[@MrPooly1459]

@@SetTheEdge Disney can screw off. How dare they try to deprive us of your excellent content!!

[@brentjones886]

​@@FrankPizza88 wtf???

[@megadouche]

@@FrankPizza88 Lol wut

[@tvb1020]

Of all the 'failure/bust' athletes over the years, this is the guy i feel most sorry for. He had a terrible upbringing, and was ruined as a person, before he ever had a chance to be a success. No kid should go thru this.

[@hiddeneyes7292]

Honestly feel so bad for Todd Could've been a great QB if his dad wasn't batshit crazy

[@johnl.7754]

Hard to say….since the extensive training probably helped in some aspects. Not to say what his dad did was right just that ones life can turn in many directions if one important thing was changed.

[@BrandonA1]

@@johnl.7754 I mean regardless he was a great athlete with a 6'4 frame. He needed Guidance and the ability to live a life, many greats come from a supportive background or troubled ones that made them better people, and the mental game is what can be the difference.

[@Stinky_Steven]

He probably wouldn’t be a QB if it wasn’t for his dad. And that’s not a bad thing

[@Zaghzackio]

If his dad wasn't batshit crazy he likely never played qb or football in general

[@familyguyfreemoviedownload8314]

i think the story of todd marinovich is proof that the desire and work ethic necessary to become a successful nfl player cant be forced on someone. it has to come from within

[@beandipcartography]

My dad used to say "have fun, and remember ... it's just a game". Thanks Dad.

[@kjl6039]

Making Todd a superstar became a religion for Todd’s dad. Todd was taught that football was his most important aspect of who he is. The most important part of who he is, is that he is a child of God. He is precious, no matter his talents. He is loved no matter his mistakes. Sadly, he felt worthless without pleasing his dad by being the best athlete. What should have mattered is guiding him to have values and be a kind person.

[@tubasungod]

1989 was my freshman year at USC and I got to see this play out in person. There's a point where it isn't about football anymore and to say that we were all worried about him would be a huge understatement.

[@wheelchairmanjon]

Unfortunately, Mr Marinovich did not understand the emotional aspect of his hard-core teaching Todd was consumed with football that by the time he got to the NFL level, he was completely burned out I think even by the time he got to the collegiate level, he was emotionally burned out. That’s why I have so much of respect for professional football players the really great ones basically dedicate their entire lives to the sport of football. Todd. Had done that since he was a child by the time he got to the collegiate level, he was finished definitely by the time he got to the professional level he was finished tired of investing all of his time and energy into it. And the thing is about substances nobody thinks they’re going to become an addict but my philosophy on it is you can’t get addicted to something you never try. If you don’t try it you’re not going to be addicted to it. Todd did not understand what he was getting into by trying those hard drugs.

[@torterra118]

father time is literally the best kendrick instrumental you couldve chosen for this video

[@subtlebluntduality5997]

The Michael Jackson effect. Don't let the kid act like a kid when he's a kid and he's going to act like a kid when he is an adult. I did see the 30 for 30 episode on him and his father.

[@bigbearkat2010]

I saw that one too and felt it should've gotten a mention in this video. I kind of remember Todd spent a good amount of time in there downplaying the negative aspects of his dad's upbringing so it might explain a little bit why Marv felt he was off the hook for Todd's issues.

[@CharlesH-t9r]

@@bigbearkat2010 the sports media was horrific back then, they acted as if his dad's abuse was a good thing....imagine how many men's lives were ruined by the mindest of men like marv....then they call men like todd "druggie" or "hes acting out" no these men are machines, theyre humans and put under way too much pressure, in the end its all a game, it means nothing in the long run, just enjoy life and sports for the love of it but dont become consumed by it

[@lohengrin4009]

This was well worth the watch, I’m glad Todd found something to fill the void in his art works.

[@ststrength5044]

I remember when he was up here with the BC Lions in the CFL. I knew of his story and as raiders fan followed his progress. Very sad situation. Glad to see he is doing better.

[@dcbandnerd]

If you haven't already, please look at the gallery. Marinovich's work is, on the whole, excellent.

[@lunarskyye2680]

This was an incredible watch. I'm shocked I've only come across it now, that poor fella I feel so bad for him.

[@jimschultz2179]

There is nothing better as a sports fan than watching your kid play a sport that they are good at and passionate about. Has nothing to do with me. My other boys didn’t play sports. Saying parents are trying to fulfill something is stupid. It’s just love and pushing them to be their best.

[@TaniasUncle]

JEW

[@TaniasUncle]

🤮

[@jimschultz2179]

@@TaniasUncle Nazi

[@mtp4430]

I'm a lifelong musician who had finally become a Father at 44 years old. I thought I was going to mold a great musician from birth. But guess what? My son neither had interest, or talent in music. Oh well, it was a nice thought, but as a parent it's all about your child's future and what's best for your child. I encouraged music early on, but once I saw he had no interest in it, my duty was to support whatever interests he did have. I loved him too much to make him a mere extension of myself. He's his own person with his own gifts and passions. Poor Todd. The guy never had a chance with a Father like that. Though I'm sure his Father had the best of intentions for him. But you can't live vicariously through your children.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

Good for you. I was a prodigy. Burned out at around eight years old.

[@mtp4430]

@@CAROLUSPRIMA I'm sorry to hear that. People don't realize the pressure placed on a child prodigy. A lot of people are under the impression that because a child is a prodigy, then everything just comes easy and is a piece of cake. Not so. There's a lot of work involved, and you can wear a child out from the stress of the high expectations.

[@PythonAsAPillow]

What people don't know is that you can enforce an unspoiled, hard-working, disciplinary lifestyle toward your kid without making their life miserable. I understand keeping your kid healthy by training them and keeping them from any unprocessed food and drinks, but they should be able to watch cartoons and go out with friends every once in a while. Also, whatever happens on the field stays on the field. He shouldn't have to be beaten or even run until he passes out of exhaustion for underperforming in a game. The latter is up to the coaches, honestly.

[@icarusmarioFAN]

This is the consequence of not letting someone have their humanity in the first place. At least Todd managed to find it in the end.

[@rookie8647]

Playing Father Time in the background nice touch

[@bb-double-yuh]

I'm definitely all for starting your kid in athletics at a young age and wanting to push them past their potential as they grow older. However, I would never punish them for underachieving. Wise man once said; "I accept failure. I don't accept not trying." I also believe they should have a proper childhood and education. Cartoons, video games, occasional drive-thru, sleepovers, etc, as well as encouraging them to study for a half-hour in the morning and a half-hour at night. Just plans.

[@tonyflamingo1657]

After this vid I’ve never been happier to have normal parents

[@dagobertotrevino1716]

Todd is a better man for having gone through all he went through. The demons he and his father ran from can chase them no more.

[@angusmacinnis6601]

And my heart goes out to the rest of the family for having to endure and be damaged by this experience.

[@dr.ickert3428]

Saw your TikTok series on this. Had to check out the channel. Amazing job! Now a subscriber and am definitely going to check out more of ur videos

[@smilegate3148]

Beat. KZbinr. Ever. Hands. Down. Please keep up the hard work cause every time you upload, it makes my day/week/month/ lifetime. Thank you so much Set The Edge!!!!!

[@marcm9999]

Extremely well done. Great video.

[@saltywingsandavsfan]

Bro his art looks cool.

[@michaelhunziker7287]

You can't pick your parents. If you could, Marv would be childless. What a monster

[@boston312]

I remember a few of these types of parents when I played soccer, basketball and football growing up. A lot of times they just create deep wounds for their children that never get healed. On a side note, I used to have season tickets to the 93 LA Raiders at the Colissieum. I remember that Todd was always a fan favorite who would always come in off the bench for Jay Schroder whom the fans always disliked.

[@thugger-vandross]

Damn back when I still had cable I remember watching the 30 for 30 on this dude The Marinovich Project. Great doc and I forgot all about it till I saw this. You did a hell of a job telling the same story in a fraction of the time and for a considerably lower production budget.

[@evanwilliams6406]

Todd was also the late Junior Seau's college teammate and the guy that backed up Todd at USC, Pat O'Hara is a quarterbacks coach for the Titans currently.

[@geleneceline2310]

Real ones know this is an reupload

[@itsking2u]

Yeah I was confused. what was the reason why It got to take it down before?

[@geleneceline2310]

@@itsking2u it got copyrighted by Disney 💀

[@oO0Cheeze0Oo]

Right!

[@Wintxr-WoIf]

Da Mickey Mouse!

[@jasongiovanni6332]

We’re an elite crew

[@dylpkl3652]

Had me rolling when you showed Silvio yelling at the ref lmao

[@nathanielovaughn2145]

Have always found it sad and pathetic when a parent fails to parent bc he or she is so hung up on trying to fill their own void by living vicariously thru his or her kid and said kid's endeavors.

[@beatsbycarson]

4:05 looool you put father time in here, love the reference

[@troymash8109]

His art looks really good. Guy has some real talent there.

[@HadYTtoolong]

This needs more views, didn’t even get recommended this until today

[@nickbooze9766]

I can't believe The Mouse got you the first time bro. I've been waiting all day for this since I f5'd and it was gone.

[@IncorrigibleBigotry]

I wish I could give you one Like extra for the sweet Aphex Twin background music. Nicely done, man!

[@insertcolorfulmetaphor8520]

Todd's an incredibly strong person to have overcome so much in his life. Like many addicts who had to deal with intense family/childhood trauma early in life or throughout adolescence, it eventually crushes the child (in adulthood most often)

[@Tadicuslegion78]

This episode points out a big problem I got with American sports, I'm sure it happens all over the world, but let's stick with America, instead of letting kids have fun, be kids, develop organically and sports is a hobby, we have these parents who go, this sport is your life, your religion, your everything and don't you dare think of doing anything else except this one sport 24/7. This is probably the worst at the small town high school level

[@choosecarefully408]

If you're going to try to bring it to the societal level, then you're going about it wrong. The whole modern nuclear family idea is at the heart of things. It's a whole "you are 100% responsible for what your children end up being" blame the victim mentality while doing absolutely nothing whatever to help anyone. Well over 90% of domestic abuse happens because of this mentality. We just leave everything alone, then whine about how it doesn't work 100% of the time. It leaves the victims feeling, correctly, that there is nowhere to go to get away from it. Foster care? No child, no matter how abused feels safer being raised by strangers. That's really just The Tip of The Iceberg, but since no one ever listens to this, I'll stop there.

[@EverettBurger]

Two quick points: 1. Yes, it has now infected parents overseas. Especially the sport of soccer with their "scouting camps". 2. In the US, it's getting worse. I blame the high cost of college. Many believe youth sports are an investment in their kid earning a "full ride" to college. Sadly, we don't educate parents (or kids) that there are MUCH more academic scholarships than athletic scholarships for universities. In fact, even "average" students can find academic based scholarships and grants.

[@ComicSams48]

@@EverettBurger it hasn't "now infected overseas" it's pretty much always been an issue everywhere there's sports

[@Omega_419]

Depends on where you at with small towns. In Iowa it's more about wrestling. Texas/Florida/California it's typically football. Indiana is more about basketball. Point being that not every small town is as obsessive as larger cities when it comes to sports

[@turtle7459]

@@EverettBurger It didn't "infect" parents overseas lmao. It's always been an issue in other countries. People exploiting their children for profit and/or to live out their own childhood dreams is by no means an American problem.

[@user-jd1cy9gp3q]

This an amazing video with a compelling narrative and great pacing

[@alexgrissom3513]

The Father Time instrumental being in the background of Marv raising Todd is *chef's kiss*

[@PaulAdamssongs]

I wish him the best. And I’m really proud for him and making the changes.

[@ericgarringer6911]

This takes living vicariously thru your kids to a whole new level

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

I pray this stays up🙏🏾

[@aarongolub2790]

Thanks for sharing, I remember Tod's story when he was still in high school. I hope he overcomes his abusive upbringing.

[@sw4841]

To all fathers doing this, you’re a disgrace just because you never accomplished anything in your life don’t put all the pressure on your kid help them guide them educate them don’t force them

[@thadanderson5737]

The Father Time backdrop is slick

[@joshuasousa181]

“He doesn’t eat Big Macs, oreos and he never drinks Coca-Cola” Tom Brady: “Neither have I, but go off I guess lol”

[@Ohfishyfishyfish]

If you want to do that, have more than one child. Firstly, it's simply more chances of success, secondly it's less pressure on the one kid, thirdly it's someone for your kid to compete with to keep the passion alive.

[@robertbishop5357]

As far as I'm concerned, Todd's father ruined his sons career. He showed zero understanding, compassion and empathy for the stress that his son was under. Not only from the coaches and fans. Also his father. As a matter of fact I think Todd's father was living life through his son. He was a very self centered and self seeking person. Todd could have been an Hall of Fame Qb and I think could have been in the running for the heisman had his father not been such a control freak.

[@Ee_Chee_Wee_Ner]

Glad you could fight off the copyright. Hope you don't get focused. Keep up the good work.

[@bobedwards7455]

Parents can be the worst thing that ever happens to a kid

[@AngelicNoose]

In both football and baseball, I was able to make the Allstar traveling teams. My father never wanted me, and my mother passed while I was young. My grandparents adopted me and pushed me in sports. My grandfather is a man my father could never even come close to being. I cannot tell you how many kids, the coaches son, would be in tears. Or how the dad's would put there son against me so I would make them cry. Things such as this have made me not enjoy, nor care for team sports. I have migrated towards training martial arts, such as Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, everytime I compete, I envision my crying teammates, and there father as well as my own, as my opponent.

[@Davini994]

Thank you so much for these videos, I always learn something that I'll never know about otherwise. And you clearly love making them.

[@ELJOEY420]

Crime in sports did a great job on this story. One ofvthe funniest podcasts out there

[@swampghost72]

I can relate to this.i was an excellent athlete in both football and baseball I was scouted by numerous college and pro baseball scouts during my formative years my coaches were super competitive they had me throwing curve balls at a young age until my father started coaching me. by the time I was a junior year my arm was starting to go.we won the state championship I had a 90 mph fastball consistently and could easily reach the high 90's during my senior year my arm was nearly gone..I could hardly break 70 without pain.. I lost my curve ball and had nothing left at 18..I left high school with no scholarship offers.i played almost two years of semi pro baseball but never got it back and thus ended my playing days.while playing little league football our coach gave a few top players fluid pills at 13 just to make sure we made the weigh in my friends dad locked him in the attic in the summer to sweat to make weigh in..to this day I get very upset at ,over competitive coaches. and the parents who vicariously live through their kids.its sickening.now I'm 49 years old and have two sons.i encouraged and supported but I never pushed my son's.

[@davidr4523]

There is maybe some disappointment that Todd Marinovich did not have the Tom Brady NFL championship career, but most men would much rather have Marinovich life over theirs. Lets look at his amazing highlights: 1. National fame since high school to his twenties. 2. High School superstar in Southern California 3. USC Rose Bowl winner and beat UCLA 4. 1st round draft pick for LA Raiders. Made millions. 5. Could have had any women in California. So yes the drugs have damaged his mind/body but the the high level he reached at an important part of his life would have made his life better than most men on this planet. So do we value life on how long you live or the quality of your life?

[@DeeTD]

bro, your videos are so good!! keep up the good work!

[@Nameless-w2t]

Thanks for this. It is a great warning to avoid sports idolatry and instead emphasize charachter development.

[@paoloveritas9975]

I worked out with MM. He was a genius way ahead of his time. And a nice guy also. RIP.

[@stevegottenbass]

Went to CVHS with Todd - kind of a quiet kid His dad was a monster

[@johnnydepp4866]

I have heard of this saying, “The lucky ones have a childhood as their cure for life, while the unlucky ones spend their life finding a cure for their childhood” Todd is one of those unfortunate people finding a way to cure their childhood

[@Covert_Smalls]

Let your kids discover their own passions, and then always be there to support them *when they want it*. Show them that your love is unconditional.

[@cco9355]

The message in this one hit deep, another great video Set the Edge 👏🏾💯

[@hammerheadsportsproduction1282]

I had a very similar experience with my father but not to this extent but he didn't know the difference between the moment when the pat me on the back or when actually to chew me out for something only thing I would hear is screaming screaming and screaming. So it was hard to have fun in the sport I love when I had to be looking over my shoulder to see whether my father approved of the of the smallest thing. Honestly my relationship with him never recovered, me and him now rarely speak to each other

[@alfrescodimieary6580]

Just happy to see another posting from you