Ex-Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell accused of stealing donation to school

JaMarcus Russell was caught cashing in a check for $74,000 which was donated to the school back in 2022. 

Ex-Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell accused of stealing donation to school

JaMarcus Russell (Via Athlon Sports)

After spending most of his NFL tenure under scrutiny over his work ethic, JaMarcus Russell has officially been released from his assistant coach job at Williamson High School in Florida. The former quarterback has become subject to a lawsuit accusing him of stealing money from the donation funds of the school. 

Following his departure from the NFL, the 2007 No.1 overall draft pick had been working as a volunteer for his alma mater as an assistant coach. However, he was caught cashing in a check for $74,000 which was donated to the school back in 2022. 

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JaMarcus Russell was relieved of his volunteer coaching duties at Williamson High School during the fall of last year.
An official of Mobile County Public School told WKRG Sports

Chris Knowles, a local business owner, issued the check after Russell approached him for a donation to help the Williamson High School purchase weight-room equipment for the students. However, after receiving the check from Knowles, Russell reportedly stopped taking his calls and also did not provide him the receipt as he told WKRG. The school 

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The former Las Vegas Raiders QB deposited the check and cashed in $55,000 at Navigator Credit Union, who is suing him for that amount as he was lent the money he withdrew. Additionally, Russell even filed a counterclaim against Knowles for restricting the payment. 

JaMarcus Russell banned from his alma mater high school after fraud allegations

As per the court documents obtained by WKRG, the former NFL star player admitted to depositing the check but refused to take a guilty plea for fraud. The news outlet also approached his attorney for a comment, but he did not respond. 

Due to his shenanigans of 2022, the Williamson High School alum is no longer welcome near the school property as the school district made it clear to him when he attended a football event this week. 

Former Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell
Former Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell (Via Sporting News)

After remarkable stats at LSU, when Russell entered the NFL as the first overall pick, he failed to record a winning season for three consecutive seasons and built the reputation of one of the worst No.1 draft picks in the history of the NFL. He finished his career with a 52.1 percent completion rate along with 23 interceptions and just 18 touchdowns. 

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