Former NFL player JaMarcus Russell faces trial centered on allegations he took money from high school donations

By Alex Andrejev, Jenna West and Mark Puleo

JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, faces a lawsuit centered on allegations that he took much of a $74,000 check intended as a donation to his high school alma mater. Alabama, 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 construction company, Selwonk Enterprises. Russell cashed the check at Navigator Credit Union in July 2022.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Mobile County (Alabama) Credit Union in March 2023 and obtained by The Athleticsaid Russell deposited the check and then cashed a portion — nearly $55,000 — after the check stopped paying. The withdrawal should have caused Russell to be overdrawn, but it was paid “in error” in late July 2022, the lawsuit says.

Knowles told WKRG he stopped the check after Russell failed to provide a receipt for the donation and did not respond to his phone calls. WKRG reported that Williamson High never received the donation money.

In March 2024, Russell filed a counterclaim against Knowles for “false statements made in subsequently stopping payment of the check,” according to the document.

Russell's attorney, Donald Briskman, did not respond to The Athleticrequest for comment.

Russell was relieved of his coaching duties mid-season last fall, Mobile County public school officials told WKRG. School system officials cited personnel issues to justify the firing and could not confirm whether the lawsuit affected their decision, according to WKRG.

AthleticismAttempts to request comment from Williamson High School and the Mobile County Public School system were not responded to.

WKRG also reported that Russell recently attended an off-campus event in which Williamson's team competed, which he should not have done.

“Earlier this week, Mr. Russell was reiterated that he was not permitted to be near the football program or on the school campus,” public school officials said of Mobile County in a statement to WKRG.

Russell, 38, played three seasons with the Oakland Raiders from 2007-09 after a standout career at Williamson High School and LSU. The quarterback has 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 31 NFL games.

(Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)