NFL as eye in the sky? I spy something disgraceful

NEW YORK -- The story is told by JaMarcus Russell and if what he says does not outrage you, if it does not make you sick to your damn stomach, then you are one heartless person.

Russell attended a luncheon and interview session Thursday afternoon for some of the top prospects in this weekend's NFL Draft. He was charming, funny, kind of quiet and wore one of the biggest pieces of bling I have ever seen. It was a watch that he joked was "on layaway."

Russell says 'it was a little strange' being followed all the time. (AP)

Most of the questions and answers were rather ordinary until, after most of the media had left his interview podium, with only a handful of reporters there, Russell dropped a bombshell that should absolutely embarrass the NFL and demonstrates teams might be taking outrageous steps to end the bad-boy athlete era.

Russell claims that at one point recently an NFL team -- he says he does not know which one -- spied on him for a period of several days and possibly longer by assigning someone to follow him.

Russell said a man followed and watched every thing he did and everywhere he went.

He knows this, Russell said, because an NFL team official anonymously told Russell's uncle and father-like figure, Ray Russell, about the spying and foot pursuits.

"I have to admit it was a little strange," JaMarcus said at one point just before departing the podium.

"I guess teams are going to gather as much information about you as they can," he said.

Russell explained that while he suspected he was being followed, he was not certain until that creepy phone call came to his uncle.

Did you go anywhere fun while you were being followed, he was asked?

"Every time," Russell joked.

Russell was clearly irked at the spying. He should be. If true -- and knowing how some in the NFL work, I have no doubt that it is -- whatever team employed such a Draconian tactic as to actually follow Russell around town as if he were a member of the Taliban should be fined a bazillion dollars and docked draft picks.

There should be some sort of investigation by commissioner Roger Goodell.