University of Central Florida's Brandon Marshall arrived in Denver as a 4th Round Draft pick by the Broncos back in 2006. The 6'4", 230 pound Wide Receiver boasted rare size and strength for his position and often played with a chip on his shoulder. His past is littered with run-ins with the law that date back to 2004 during his college days at the University of Central Florida. His highly publicized brushes with authority range from assault of an officer and disorderly conduct to driving while under the influence of alcohol and domestic violence. Many assumed him to be just another hot-head, professional athlete that couldn't handle the pressure of NFL popularity and the spot light that came with it. The shooting death of Marshall's Bronco teammate Darrent Williams was alleged to be retaliation for a dispute the shooter (Willie Clark) had with one of Marshall's cousins earlier in the club the entourage was celebrating the New Year in. Later that spring, Marshall would complete anger management counseling to have charges from a 2007 suspicion of domestic violence charge dismissed. Marshall, was looked at as a talented player that just didn't seem to "get it". The question then became would he EVER "get it" ?
Marshall, despite all the off the field concerns, burst onto the national scene after an outstanding second season with the Broncos. He hauled in 102 receptions for 1,325 yards and 7 touchdowns. This started a stretch of 3 straight 100 catch seasons for Marshall who was already viewed as one of the most physically dominant players at his position. With his size, he would absolutely punish defenders that attempted to tackle him and was extremely difficult to bring down one on one. Despite his sparkling play on the field, Marshall continued to encounter his share of legal trouble. He was arrested for DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) in late 2007 but plead out to one year of probation and 24 hours of community service. He would make news again, in 2008, when he was stopped for an illegal lane change and didn't have his license or proof of insurance. The case was eventually dropped as part of his plea bargain for the 2007 DUI incident. Marshall was found not guilty by an Atlanta jury in 2009 for misdemeanor battery charges filed in 2008. His troubles with domestic violence have drawn the most attention. He was arrested for disorderly conduct after an alleged fight with fiancee (at the time) Michi Nogami-Campbell. Marshall was freed on a $300 bond and the charges were dropped the next day. Now Marshall, despite having made the Pro-Bowl in back to back seasons, was looked at as a trouble maker and a problem. These labels gained more adhesive when Marshall started being a problem in the locker room as well as off the field. He would earn suspensions in the 2009 pre-season for his lack of commitment to practice and conduct detrimental to the team and benched for the final game of that season by then coach Josh McDaniels for being late to a physical therapy session. Marshall despite catching 101 passes (10 for touchdowns) that season had become too much of a headache and team distraction.
Marshall's baggage had gotten too heavy for the Broncos to carry and many felt his antics were deliberately done to force a trade out of town. He'd get his wish in April of 2010 as the Broncos practically gave away the Pro-Bowl receiver to the Miami Dolphins for a pair of 2nd round picks (in 2010 and 2011). The Dolphins would sign Marshall to a 4 year, $47.5 million dollar contract extension the day the trade occurred. Marshall had what was considered a "down" year, based on his previous work the past 3 seasons. The Dolphins weren't very good and Marshall still amassed 86 catches for 1014 yards but totalled only 3 touchdown catches. Marshall's domestic troubles would show their face again this time in an incident where he was the victim of a stabbing by his wife Michi Nogami-Marshall. Marshall spent 2 days in the Hospital and his wife was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and later freed on bond. Even being the victim, in this incident, Marshall drew the ire of critics that still saw him as a great talent that was not worth the headache. Something happened a few months later that would change Brandon Marshall's life as he knew it. After the stabbing incident, involving his wife, Marshall was diagnosed with "Borderline Personality Disorder" and began seeking treatment for the mental condition. He has become a huge advocate of the treatment for mental disorders and is leading the charge amongst his professional peers to get the word out. Marshall completed his 2011 season with similar numbers to 2010 but managed to make the Pro-Bowl (for the 3rd time in 4 seasons) after pulling in 81 catches for 1,214 yards and 6 touchdowns. He would go on to set a Pro Bowl record catching 6 passes for 176 yards and 4 touchdowns. Brandon Marshall was turning his life around and everything was looking up for the Pittsburgh, Pa. native. In a weird twist, things were about to get better ...
There were rumors swirling, going into the 2012 season, that the Chicago Bears were interested in trading for Brandon Marshall. Newly appointed general manager Phil Emery was looking to make a splash and get his quarterback (Marshall's teammate back in Denver) Jay Cutler a true go to weapon in the passing game. Marshall had pretty much been a model citizen in the Dolphins locker room and off the field (leaving a lot of his off the field troubles behind, since receiving treatment for his borderline personality disorder). There was an incident that might have made the Dolphin's asking price drop some. This same situation would've also scared Chicago off completely. Two days before the Bears traded for Marshall, he was accused of hitting a woman in the face at a New York night club and being involved in a brawl. Marshall, who was attending the venue with his wife and some friends, was alleged to have hit the woman below her left eye trying to punch one of the woman's friends. There was no evidence linking Marshall to the incident and he was cleared of any wrongdoing. This may not have been the case in prior incidents. His troubled past didn't always provide him with benefit of the doubt. Marshall was on the path to completely turning himself around and championed a cause that will live long after his playing days are over.
The Bears sent two 3rd round picks (in 2012 and 2013) to the Dolphins to acquire the mega talented, star wide receiver just entering his prime years. This trade was looked at as a steal and one that would pay immediate dividends to the Bears who finally had a big time playmaker for Jay Cutler. Marshall would go on to obliterate the Bears record books for receptions in a season (118) and receiving yards (1,508). He would be named to the Pro Bowl and make his first NFL All-Pro team. The Bears had a (10-6) season but just missed the playoffs but the future is looking as bright as Brandon Marshall's smile these days. You didn't always see this smile in Denver but that was a different Brandon then. After his admission at a July 2011 press conference (that he had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder) Marshall took a huge step to conquering what he believed to be pinned up anger from growing up watching his Mom and Dad involved in a relationship that involved physical abuse. The same type of abusive lifestyle he lived in past relationships. Marshall has taken ownership of his BPD and the treatment to fight it and hopes to spread the awareness and understanding about the illness so stereotypes and stigmas about mental health can be put to rest. This is a young man that has not only owned his issues with a mental disorder but wants to insure that others that may suffer the same have a way to get help. Mental illness is real and I applaud Brandon Marshall for turning his life around and helping others do the same. This will be the greatest championship he'll ever win. With each person he helps being a personal championship celebration and trophy presentation. Marshall, recently, extended an opportunity to the troubled Titus Young (the recently released NFL wide receiver who made news for infamously being arrested 3 times within a week) to walk through the same doors he was able to go through and get help. I was one of those people that use to think Brandon Marshall had a serious problem, with all his counts of domestic violence. Turns out he DID and was man enough to seek assistance in dealing with it. I salute this man of courage and hopefully those that judged his character, in the past, can do the same ...
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