ESPNMAG.com - Born on the Fourth of July: Todd Marinovich

Todd Marinovich (7/4/69)
QB, Los Angeles Avengers, Arena Football League

Reed Saxon/AP

How will you spend the Fourth this year?
I have practice in the morning, and then I'm going to be down at my grandmother's house in Newport Beach, where I go every year. We sit on the beach and watch the fireworks. Then we all kinda roam from place to place, 'cause every other house in the neighborhood is having a party.

What would you rather be doing?
Nothing. There's nowhere else I'd rather be.

Best Fourth of July memory?
When I was a little kid, my parents used to tell me that everyone was celebrating my birthday on the Fourth. That was great.

Worst/best part of having birthday on FOJ?
I love it -- haven't found anything wrong with it yet.

Are people born on the FOJ different from those with other birthdays?
Those born on the Fourth are more free-spirited people. Definitely. I think I fit into that category.

Food, beverage of choice on the fourth.
Lotta hamburgers and beer-drinking going on.

If you could only pick one on the fourth, would it be: Beach, BBQ, Baseball or Beer?
The beach. No question. When I'm 45 years old, I wanna spend my Fourth on the beach watching fireworks.

American History Quiz:

1. Who wrote the national anthem?
2. What was the first capital of the US?

1. Man ... I don't know. [Francis Scott Key]
2. I take it it's not D.C. Philadelphia?

[Alright, Todd was one-for-two. But Francis Scott Key was a gimme. Even if Todd was a fine arts major at USC.]