Marinovich Story Often Seen on Late-Night TV

The Todd Marinovich story reminds me of the movies starring Jack Oakie. The cocky, egotistical football star who is the toast of the campus, most sought-after male by the coeds and cinch All-American, flunks an exam. He is benched by the coach. Suddenly he is burnt toast, ignored, a pariah. He resents it, leaves campus in high dudgeon and even contemplates a third beer. But someone who really cares--a girl, a wise old trainer or a zoology professor--takes him in hand and straightens him out. Repentant, he retakes the exam and passes. The coach then puts him back on the squad and late in the fourth quarter, our star gets off the bench and beats Tech, or State, or even Notre Dame in the big game.

Now that Marinovich has read the script, let’s see if he can remember his lines.

EDWARD J. MONTAGNE, Agoura Hills