Athletes - Odell Thurman

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	Athletes - Odell Thurman

Odell Lamar Thurman (born July 9, 1983 in Monticello, Georgia,) is a rookie linebacker with the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals. Thurman played college football at the University of Georgia and was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft, the 48th player taken overall. Football pundits are in near consensus that Odell Thurman is similar to Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and was a legitimate first round draft pick, but questions about his character and behavioral issues made many teams shy away from drafting him in the first round. Ironically, the Bengals' first round selection was Thurman's teammate, defensive end David Pollack, who was converted to linebacker by the Bengals.

However, many have cited Odell Thurman's tough childhood as the primary source of his troubles. Thurman's mother, Joyce Bland, died in a 1993 automobile accident, and his father, Otis Thurman, died in 2003 from liver and kidney failure. He was raised by his paternal grandmother, Betty Thurman, in a household of seventeen in rural Georgia.

His coaches on the Bengals have praised his quickness and his gladiator mentality. Indeed, Odell Thurman has the word "Gladiator" tattooed across his back. Many have mistakenly called it an allusion to the 2000 Russell Crowe/Ridley Scott film; Thurman says he actually got the tattoo before the film was released after a coach likened football to gladiatorial games.

Odell Thurman attended Monticello High School in Monticello, Georgia. While there, he was a Macon Telegraph first team All-Purpose All-State selection at both linebacker and fullback, and won Class AA honorable mention All-State honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and was invited to play in the 2001 Georgia-Florida all-star game. As a senior, he rushed for 1,187 yards and recorded 153 tackles.

Odell Thurman played just two years and 23 games at the University of Georgia. Still, he was named an All-SEC player. Thurman was also a semi-finalist for the 2004 Dick Butkus Award. However, he entered the NFL draft after his junior season.

Although a rookie that some pundits have labeled a "project," Odell Thurman, while he has made typically rookie mistakes, has become a key player on a Bengals defensive unit that has improved significantly. He currently has five interceptions and was a candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

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Athletes - Odell Thurman

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