JaMarcus Russell out as high school volunteer coach, sued over $74K donation intended for alma mater
The 2017 No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick was removed as a volunteer assistant last fall
By Sean Leahy, Contributing writer
JaMarcus Russell is facing a lawsuit that accuses the 2007 No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick of taking money that was meant for the football program at Williamson High School, his alma mater.
According to WKRG, Russell accepted a $74,000 check from Chris Knowles, a local business owner, that was meant as a donation to help the football program purchase weight room equipment. The money was allegedly never given to the school and the former Raiders quarterback reportedly deposited the check into a credit union and then withdrew $55,000.
Knowles, a lifelong LSU fan, says Russell approached him in the summer of 2022 about making a donation to help Williamson football purchase weight-room equipment. After writing the $74,000 check out to Russell, Knowles said he later stopped payment on the check when Russell wouldn’t provide a receipt of the donation and quit returning his phone calls.
Navigator Credit Union is suing Russell for nearly $55,000 of the check, which was paid to him on the same day of the deposit. The lawsuit was filed in March 2023 and says the money was “lent” to Russell by the credit union upon his request.
In November 2023, Russell filed a counterclaim against Knowles for stopping payment on the check. Russell admitted depositing the money but claims no wrongdoing.
A trial is set to begin in October.
Russell joined the Williamson football team coaching staff in 2018 and was removed as a volunteer assistant last fall.
Mobile County Public Schools would only cite personnel matters as the reason for removing Russell and did not confirm if the lawsuit is what led to the decision.
MCPS said in a statement to WKRG that Russell is not permitted to be around the team or on school campus.
Russell, 38, started 25 games for the Raiders over three seasons after being drafted in 2007.
