Oakland Raiders: Former first-round draft pick dies in Pennsylvania
By Kevin Saito
Oakland Raiders former first-round draft pick, Bob Buckowski has died, bringing a sad tale to an even sadder end.
When you ask any Oakland Raiders fan who the biggest draft bust in team history is, the answer you get will likely depend upon what year they were born. Different generations will have different viewpoints.
Though, given the money, talent, and expectations, it seems fair to slap the label, “biggest draft bust in franchise history,” squarely on the shoulders of one JaMarcus Russell.
Some might argue the point, but you can probably find some redeeming qualities and solid moments in other draft busts like Todd Marinovich and Robert Gallery.
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In the pre-JaMarcus era though, a very compelling argument could be made that the Raiders’ biggest draft bust was Bob Buczkowski.
Many out there are probably asking Bob – who? And it would be an understandable question, given the fact that Buczkowski had little more than a cup of coffee with the Raiders after they made him the defensive end a first-round pick (twenty-fourth overall) out of Pitt in the 1986 NFL Draft.
Following a pretty decent career at Pitt, it was thought the six-foot-five, 260 pound Buczkowski would add some depth, explosiveness, and grit to a defensive line that already boasted the likes of Howie Long, Bill Pickel, and Greg Townsend.
It never worked out that way though, as Buczkowski never saw the field in his rookie year, and played in just two games for the Raiders in his sophomore season, amassing a vastly underwhelming total of zero tackles and one sack.
Buczkowski was released the following season and spent a year with the Browns in 1989 (appearing in just four games), and the Cardinals in 1990 (playing in 15 total games with three starts).
His career came to an end after that 1990 season, with his career stats being 21 total games played (with those three starts), zero tackles, one fumble recovery, and one-and-a-half sacks.
It was after the end of his professional football career that Buczkowski’s life really went off the rails. In 2005, he was arrested on charges of possession and delivery of a controlled substance, promoting prostitution, criminal conspiracy, and participating in a corrupt organization.
Facing serious prison time, in 2007 Buczkowski pleaded guilty to running a prostitution ring out of the basement his family’s home.
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Buczkowski’s sad tale came to an end last week, when he was found at his home in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, unconscious and not breathing. Soon after, he was pronounced dead.
It has been reported that Buczkowski suffered from leukemia, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The exact cause of death is unknown at this point, pending an autopsy, but authorities say they have no reason to suspect foul play.