Former No. 1 NFL draft pick JaMarcus Russell has been terminated from his role as a volunteer assistant coach at Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, and faces a lawsuit alleging he misappropriated a $74,000 donation intended for the school.
“JaMarcus Russell was relieved of his volunteer coaching duties at Williamson High School during the fall of last year,” confirmed Mobile County Public School officials to WKRG Sports.
The controversy arose when local business owner Chris Knowles wrote a $74,000 check at Russell’s request, intended to support the Williamson football team in purchasing weight room equipment.
owever, the school claims it never received the funds, and Russell allegedly deposited the check into a credit union account, withdrawing $55,000 shortly thereafter.
In addition to his dismissal as a coach, Russell has been barred from the school campus, according to a statement from Mobile County Public School officials.
Jamarcus Russell (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Despite attending a recent football team event, he was informed that his presence was unwelcome.
“Earlier this week, it was reiterated to Mr. Russell that he is not permitted to be around the football program or on school campus,” the school district’s statement to WKRG emphasized.
Russell, aged 38, enjoyed a decorated football career at Williamson before continuing his education at LSU, where he excelled with 6,625 passing yards and 52 touchdowns over three years before entering the NFL.
Selected as the top pick in the 2007 NFL draft, Russell started in 25 games for the Raiders across three seasons.
His NFL tenure concluded with an overall completion rate of 52.1%, tallying 18 touchdowns against 23 interceptions, marking him as one of the most notable draft disappointments in league history.
Throughout his NFL career, Russell earned over $36.4 million in salary and bonuses.
