Ex-NFLer JaMarcus Russell Accused Of Stealing $74K Donation To High School Where He Coached

JaMarcus Russell is facing a lawsuit accusing him of stealing money that was meant as a donation to the Mobile, Ala., high school where he coached.

The former No. 1 NFL draft pick reportedly accepted a $74,000 check from Chris Knowles, a local business owner, that was meant as a donation to help the Williamson High School football program purchase equipment for its weight room. But the money was never given to the school. Instead, Russell deposited the check into a credit union and then withdrew $55,000, according to WKRG.

Knowles said he later stopped payment on the check when Russell wouldn’t provide a receipt of the donation and quit returning his phone calls.

JaMarcus Russell has been accused of stealing money meant as a donation to his alma mater.

(Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports)

Now, Navigator Credit Union is suing Russell for the money, which was paid to him on the same day of the deposit. The lawsuit was filed in March 2023 and says the money was "lent" to Russell by the credit union upon his request.

Eight months later, Russell filed a counterclaim against Knowles for stopping payment on the check. Russell admitted depositing the money but claims he did nothing wrong.

A trial is set to begin in October.

Russell had been a voluntary assistant coach at Williamson — his alma mater — since 2018, but the school let him go last fall. The 38-year-old is not even allowed to be on Williamson's campus, according to a statement from Mobile County Public School officials. Russell attended an event for the football team this week, but was told he was not welcome.

"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 district said in a statement to WKRG.

JaMarcus Russell was selected by the Raiders as the No. 1 overall pick in 2007.

(Photo by John Dunn/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)

JaMarcus Russell is widely regarded as the NFL's biggest draft bust. The No. 1 overall pick in 2007, he started 25 games for the then-Oakland Raiders over three seasons. He ended his NFL career with a 52.1 percent completion rate, 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

He earned more than $36.4 million in salary and bonuses during his NFL career. One could argue he stole that, too.