Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell lost the lawsuit over the $74,000 check on November 6, 2024, when a Mobile County Circuit Court judge granted summary judgment against him and cleared the way for a damages award of more than $72,000. The check had been written as a donation for the football program at Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, where Russell was volunteering as a coach, but it was made out to Russell personally and he cashed it.
The Check and How It Was Cashed
In July 2022, Mobile business owner Christopher Knowles wrote a $74,000 check on behalf of his company, Selwonk Enterprises, intended to buy weight room equipment for the Williamson High football team.1ESPN. Former No. 1 Pick JaMarcus Russell Fired as Coach, Faces Lawsuit The check was made out to Russell rather than to the school.2USA Today High School Sports. Former NFL Top Draft Pick JaMarcus Russell Sued Over Allegedly Taking Money Intended for Alma Mater
Russell deposited the check at Navigator Credit Union and was paid a withdrawal of nearly $55,000 the same day. Knowles later stopped payment on the check after Russell failed to provide a donation receipt and stopped returning his calls.3The New York Times / The Athletic. JaMarcus Russell NFL Lawsuit Donation The school said it never received any of the money.4USA Today. JaMarcus Russell High School NFL Draft
Why Navigator Credit Union Sued
Because the stop payment came after Russell had already withdrawn the funds, the credit union was left absorbing the loss. Navigator filed suit against Russell in Mobile County Circuit Court in March 2023, seeking to recover the $54,826 overdraft on his account. It relied on the membership services agreement governing the account, which the credit union said made Russell liable for the shortfall.5Fox 10 TV. Judge Mulls Allegations That Former NFL Quarterback Bounced Check
Russell’s Response
Russell admitted cashing the check but denied wrongdoing. His attorney, Josh Briskman, told reporters: “You take a check to the bank. They cash it. Later, the guy stops the payment. Jamarcus didn’t realize he was going to do that.”5Fox 10 TV. Judge Mulls Allegations That Former NFL Quarterback Bounced Check Briskman also disputed the claim that the money had been diverted from the school, saying “this is a personal matter, and has nothing to do with the Williamson High School football program.”6NBC 15. JaMarcus Russell Denies Allegation of Misappropriating Donation to Williamson HS
In March 2024, Russell filed a counterclaim against Knowles and Selwonk Enterprises seeking $74,000 in damages for what he called “false representations made in the subsequent stopping of payment of the check.”7WKRG. Third-Party Counter-Claim, JaMarcus Russell A separate counterclaim he filed against Navigator was dismissed in June 2024 by agreement of the parties.6NBC 15. JaMarcus Russell Denies Allegation of Misappropriating Donation to Williamson HS
The Ruling and Damages
On November 6, 2024, Mobile County Circuit Judge Wesley Pipes granted summary judgment for Navigator Credit Union, ruling against Russell without a trial. The credit union then submitted a proposed order asking for $72,806.08 in total damages: $54,806.08 in principal and interest, and $18,000 in attorney fees and costs.6NBC 15. JaMarcus Russell Denies Allegation of Misappropriating Donation to Williamson HS No criminal charges have been reported in connection with the check.
Loss of His Coaching Role
The dispute cost Russell his volunteer job at Williamson. Mobile County Public Schools officials said he “was relieved of his volunteer coaching duties at Williamson High School during the fall of last year,” referring to the 2023 season.1ESPN. Former No. 1 Pick JaMarcus Russell Fired as Coach, Faces Lawsuit After Russell was seen at an off-campus team function in 2024, school officials stated he was “not permitted to be around the football program or on school campus.”4USA Today. JaMarcus Russell High School NFL Draft