Former Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell will forever be known for his brief NFL career, during which he went 7-18 as a starter and threw five more interceptions than touchdowns. Before he became the No. 1 overall pick, however, he was a sensation.
Russell was a standout at LSU, and he had a legendary career at Williamson High School in Mobile, Ala. before finding his way to Baton Rouge.
Russell has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the unceremonious end to his NFL career, aside from brief comeback attempts as recently as 2016. The former top pick broke into coaching at his former high school, but now that opportunity has fallen by the wayside as well.
Here's what you need to know about the scandal that has Russell out of a job at Williamson High School and facing a lawsuit.
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JaMarcus Russell high school scandal, explained
Russell was fired from his coaching role at Williamson High School late last year, WKRG first reported. By all accounts, it wasn't anything close to a mutual decision.
The 38-year-old is facing a lawsuit accusing him of stealing a $74,000 donation check that was given to the school's football team. A local business owner claims he gave Russell the check and the school says it never got the money that was supposed to help revamp the team's weight room.
The lawsuit claims Russell deposited the check and withdrew $55,000 for himself.
Not only is Russell no longer coaching at Williamson High School, but he's banned from the school's campus. Russell reportedly showed up to a team event earlier in June and was reminded that he isn't welcome any longer.
Russell, who joined the coaching staff in 2018, was a star during his playing career at Williamson. He threw for 10,774 passing yards in his high school career, including 3,332 yards through the air and another 400 on the ground in his senior season.
The memories are lasting for those who watched Russell play in high school, but the former Raiders signal-caller evidently won't be allowed to associate with Williamson High School anytime soon as he prepares for an October civil trial as a result of the lawsuit.
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JaMarcus Russell career earnings
Russell's NFL career was a short one, but he did well for himself from a financial standpoint in such a short window. Russell made $39.4 million in career earnings over four years, including an additional $3 million after he was released by the Raiders in 2010.
Russell initially signed a six-year, $61 million rookie contract with Oakland in 2007, before rookie scale contracts set the standard for four-year deals plus a fifth-year option for first-round picks.
Rookie contracts are now fully guaranteed. Since only $32 million of Russell's rookie deal was guaranteed, the Raiders were able to get out of it after less than $40 million.
