JaMarcus Russell fired, accused of theft…see more..
According to various sources, JaMarcus Russell, the first choice in the 2007 NFL Draft, has been sacked from his voluntary high school assistant coaching job and is being sued for allegedly stealing school money. The firing appears to have occurred several months ago, but it was just recently confirmed by school officials in Mobile County, Alabama. “JaMarcus Russell was relieved of his volunteer coaching duties at Williamson High School during the fall of last year,” Mobile County Public Schools announced in a statement to WKRG Sports on Friday. The former Oakland Raiders quarterback is also facing a lawsuit accusing him of accepting a $74,000 cheque intended as a donation to his alma institution and retaining the money for himself.
According to accounts, Russell approached local business owner Chris Knowles about helping purchase new weight room equipment for the school’s football team. Knowles claimed Russell deposited the funds in a credit union and promptly withdrew $55,000 for himself. Russell, 38, has been ordered to keep away from campus. “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, following reports that Russell attended a school football team event.
Russell, a former LSU quarterback, signed a $68 million six-year deal with the Raiders but struggled in the NFL, completing 51.1% of his games, with a 7-18 record. He is considered one of NFL history’s biggest draft busts.
Russell was released before the 2010 season, and the Raiders fought over his contract. In 2013, the Raiders settled for approximately $40 million for his three years of service.
