JaMarcus Russell is accused of accepting money intended for the football program at Williamson High School, his former school, and is being sued by the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
According to WKRG, Russell accepted a $74,000 check from Chris Knowles, a local business owner, which was intended 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 allegedly deposited the check in a credit union and then withdrew $55,000.
Knowles, a lifelong LSU fan, says Russell approached him in the summer of 2022 asking him to make a donation to help Williamson Football purchase weight room equipment. After writing the $74,000 check to Russell, Knowles said he later stopped payment on the check when Russell would not provide a receipt for the donation and stopped returning his phone calls.
Navigator Credit Union is suing Russell for nearly $55,000 of the check, which was paid to him the same day it was deposited. The lawsuit was filed in March 2023 and alleges that the money was “loaned” to Russell by the credit union at his request.
In November 2023, Russell filed a counterclaim against Knowles for stopping payment of the check. Russell admitted depositing the money but claims there was no wrongdoing.
A trial will begin in October.
Russell joined the Williamson football coaching staff in 2018 and was released as a volunteer assistant last fall.
Mobile County Public Schools only cited personnel matters as the reason for removing Russell and did not confirm whether the lawsuit led to the decision.
MCPS said in a statement to WKRG that Russell is not allowed near the team or on school grounds.
Russell, 38, played 25 games for the Raiders in three seasons after being drafted in 2007.
