Former No. 1 NFL draft pick JaMarcus Russell has been fired as a volunteer football coach at his alma mater, and is facing a lawsuit.
Russell, 38, is accused of stealing a $74,000 check that was donated to Williamson High School’s football program in Mobile, Alabama.
“JaMarcus Russell was relieved of his volunteer coaching duties at Williamson High School during the fall of last year,” Mobile County Public School officials confirmed to WKRG Sports.
He is facing a lawsuit alleging that he stole a $74,000 check and deposited it into his bank account.
Chris Knowles, a local business owner, says Russell approached him about a donation to help the Williamson High School football team purchase weight room equipment.
Knowles wrote out the $74,000 check and gave it to Russell. But the school never received the donation. Russell reportedly deposited the check into his account at a credit union and withdrew $55,000 in cash.
No charges were filed against Russell. But the school district made it clear that he is no longer welcome at the school or football games.
When Russell attended an event for the football team this week, the school district asked him to leave.
“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 said in a statement to WKRG.
Russell played quarterback for the LSU Tigers. He was the most valuable player of the 2007 Sugar Bowl.
He was selected No. 1 overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2007 NFL draft. In an interview with ESPN, Russell admitted that he tested positive for codeine use after the Raiders chose him in the NFL draft.
On 2010, Russell was arrested for possession of codeine syrup (Purple drank) without a valid prescription. The charge was later dropped, but he never played in the NFL again.
