Former NFL No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell is being sued after he was fired from his alma mater, Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, as a volunteer assistant coach and allegedly received a $74,000 check to donate to the school.
“JaMarcus Russell was released from his volunteer coaching position at Williamson High School last fall,” a Mobile County Public Schools official told WKRG Sports.
Local business owner Chris Knowles said Russell approached him about a donation to help the Williamson football team purchase weight room equipment, writing a check for $74,000. The school never received the check, and Russell allegedly deposited the check at a credit union and immediately withdrew $55,000.
In addition to being fired as a coach, Russell was also banned from the school’s campus, according to a statement from Mobile County Public Schools officials. Russell attended a football team event this week and was told he was not welcome.
“We have repeatedly communicated to Mr. Russell earlier this week that he is not permitted to be on campus or participate in the football program,” the district said in a statement to WKRG.
Russell, 38, was a star quarterback at Williamson College before going to college at LSU, where he threw for 6,625 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons before turning pro.
Russell was the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and started 25 games for the Raiders over three seasons. He finished his NFL career with a 52.1% completion percentage, 18 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions, and is considered perhaps the biggest miss in the NFL Draft.
He earned more than $36.4 million in salary and bonuses during his NFL career.
