NFL: Thurman released
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Associated Press
CINCINNATI ó Less than a month after the NFL reinstated Odell Thurman from his two-year suspension, the troubled linebacker is out of a job.
The Cincinnati Bengals staunchly supported Thurman during his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse and conduct policies. When he didn’t show up for voluntary workouts that represented a chance to catch up, they decided they’ve had enough.
Thurman was waived on Monday, leaving his once-promising career at the crossroads again.
“Everything was fine two weeks ago,” agent Safarrah Lawson said in a phone interview shortly after Thurman was released. “He left for a week to deal with the death of his grandmother, and he didn’t make it back.”
Now, his road back to the NFL will have to go through some other team.
Thurman failed to attend the team’s three voluntary on-field workouts last week.