By Alex Andrejev, Jenna West and Mark Puleo
JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 NFL Draft pick in 2007, faces a lawsuit centered around allegations he took a large portion of a $74,000 check intended to be a donation to his Alabama high school alma mater, where he worked as a volunteer coach.
Local business owner Chris Knowles issued the check to Russell as a donation to the Williamson High School football program on behalf of his building company, Selwonk Enterprises. Russell cashed the check at Navigator Credit Union in July 2022.
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The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the credit union in Mobile County (Ala.) in March 2023 and obtained by The Athletic, said Russell deposited the check and then cashed a portion — nearly $55,000 — after payment on the check had been stopped. The withdrawal should have resulted in Russell’s being overdrawn but was paid “by mistake” in late July 2022, per the suit.
Knowles told WKRG that he stopped the check after Russell failed to provide a receipt of the donation and wouldn’t return his phone calls. WKRG reported that Williamson High never received the donation money.
In March 2024, Russell filed a counterclaim against Knowles for the “false representations made in the subsequent stopping of payment of the check,” per the document.
Russell’s attorney, S. Joshua Briskman, said in an emailed statement that Knowles “knows his allegations are false.”
“This is a personal matter, and has nothing to do with the Williamson High School football program,” Briskman said. “Notably when a charitable contribution is made, it is made to the entity to which that contribution is intended. As this matter is currently pending in court, we will not comment further on this matter at this time.”
Russell was relieved of his coaching duties midseason last fall, Mobile County Public School officials told WKRG. School system officials cited personnel matters for the dismissal and could not confirm if the lawsuit affected its decision, per WKRG.
The Athletic’s attempts to request comments from Williamson High School and Mobile County Public School System were not returned.
WKRG also reported that Russell recently attended an off-campus event where Williamson’s team competed, which he should not have done.
“Earlier this week, it was reiterated to Mr. Russell that he is not permitted to be around the football program or on school campus,” Mobile County Public School officials said in a statement to WKRG.
Russell, 38, played three seasons with the Oakland Raiders from 2007 to 2009 after a standout career at Williamson High School and LSU. The quarterback passed for 18 touchdowns with 23 interceptions through 31 career NFL games.
(Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)