By Alex Andrejev, Jenna West and Mark Puleo
JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 NFL Draft choose in 2007, faces a lawsuit centered round allegations he took a big portion of a $74,000 verify meant to be a donation to his Alabama highschool alma mater, the place he labored as a volunteer coach.
Native enterprise proprietor Chris Knowles issued the verify to Russell as a donation to the Williamson Excessive College soccer program on behalf of his constructing firm, Selwonk Enterprises. Russell cashed the verify at Navigator Credit score Union in July 2022.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the credit score union in Cell County (Ala.) in March 2023 and obtained by The Athletic, stated Russell deposited the verify after which cashed a portion — practically $55,000 — after fee on the verify had been stopped. The withdrawal ought to have resulted in Russell’s being overdrawn however was paid “by mistake” in late July 2022, per the swimsuit.
Knowles advised WKRG that he stopped the verify after Russell failed to supply a receipt of the donation and wouldn’t return his cellphone calls. WKRG reported that Williamson Excessive by no means acquired the donation cash.
In March 2024, Russell filed a counterclaim towards Knowles for the “false representations made within the subsequent stopping of fee of the verify,” per the doc.
Russell’s lawyer, Donald Briskman, didn’t reply to The Athletic’s request for remark.
Russell was relieved of his teaching duties midseason final fall, Cell County Public College officers advised WKRG. College system officers cited personnel issues for the dismissal and couldn’t verify if the lawsuit affected its determination, per WKRG.
The Athletic’s makes an attempt to request feedback from Williamson Excessive College and Cell County Public College System weren’t returned.
WKRG additionally reported that Russell lately attended an off-campus occasion the place Williamson’s staff competed, which he shouldn’t have carried out.
“Earlier this week, it was reiterated to Mr. Russell that he’s not permitted to be across the soccer program or on faculty campus,” Cell County Public College officers stated in a press release to WKRG.
Russell, 38, performed three seasons with the Oakland Raiders from 2007 to 2009 after a standout profession at Williamson Excessive College and LSU. The quarterback handed for 18 touchdowns with 23 interceptions via 31 profession NFL video games.
(Picture: Jim McIsaac / Getty Pictures)