JaMarcus Russell

Russell was born in Mobile, Alabama, and attended Lillie B. Williamson High School. For all four years under head coach Bobby Parrish, he started and never missed a football game. In his freshman year, Russell completed 180 of 324 passes for 2,683 yards and 20 touchdowns as Williamson reached the state championship game. By the next season, Russell had grown to six-foot-three and 185 pounds, had received his first recruiting letters, and was becoming more adept with the playbook. Russell passed for 2,616 yards and 20 touchdowns during his sophomore year and led the team to the semifinals.{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=Sack|title=Cash Crunch Imperils High School Football|date=February 27, 2001|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/27/us/cash-crunch-imperils-high-school-football.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 26, 2009}}

Russell's best season was his senior year; he completed 219 of 372 passes for 3,332 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for another 400 yards and five touchdowns. This earned Russell Parade magazine All-American honorable mention honors.[https://webspace.utexas.edu/ckl94/www/2002_Post_HS_Football.html 2002 Postseason High School Football All-American Teams] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927191254/https://webspace.utexas.edu/ckl94/www/2002_Post_HS_Football.html |date=September 27, 2011 }}. Retrieved October 26, 2009. His 10,774 career passing yards broke the Alabama High School Athletic Association record and still stands today.{{Citation |url=http://www.ahsaa.com/Sports/Football/Records/IndividualRecordsOld/tabid/396/Default.aspx |title=Individual Football Records |work=AHSAA |access-date=June 5, 2010}}

Russell was at the center of an ESPN Outside the Lines story on high school sports in Mobile.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/tvlistings/show59transcript.html |title=Outside the Lines: Death, Taxes, Football |publisher=ESPN Page 2 |access-date=January 14, 2022}} He also played basketball and threw the javelin in track and field.

{{college athlete recruit start|40=yes|year=2003}}

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = JaMarcus Russell

| position = QB

| hometown = Mobile, Alabama

| highschool = Williamson HS

| feet = 6

| inches = 5

| weight =223

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| commitdate = July 8, 2003

| scout stars = 5

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{{College athlete recruit end

| 40 = yes

| year = 2003

| rivals ref title = 2003 LSU Football Commitment List

| scout ref title = 2003 Louisiana State College Football Team Recruiting Prospects

| rivals school = lsu

| scout s = 107

| scout overall = 4 (QB); 2 (school)

| rivals overall = 6 (QB); 79 (national); 3 (LA); 1 (school)

| accessdate = August 17, 2013

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In February 2003 on National Signing Day, Russell committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) over Florida State University, becoming the LSU Tigers' 28th and final recruit of the 2003 season. He redshirted his freshman year and by the fall of the 2005 season, Russell was the starting quarterback. He led the Tigers to a 10–1 regular season record, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division title, and a top five ranking going into the SEC Championship Game. He also improved statistically, completing 60 percent of his passes for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns. Russell received an honorable mention on the AP's All-SEC Team.

Russell led the Tigers to two come-from-behind wins in the regular season. The first came on a 39-yard pass to Early Doucet on 4th down in the final minute of the game, as the Tigers defeated Arizona State 35–31. Later in the season, LSU defeated a then-undefeated Alabama team 16–13 when he completed a 14-yard touchdown to Dwayne Bowe in overtime.

Russell injured his shoulder in a loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and missed the team's bowl game. Backup quarterback Matt Flynn replaced him for the Peach Bowl against Miami, and the Tigers won the game 40–3.

Russell was the starting quarterback again at LSU in 2006, beating out Matt Flynn and highly touted redshirt freshman Ryan Perrilloux. Before the season began, he changed his jersey number from 4 to 2. He had a productive 2006 regular season, leading the Tigers to a 10–2 record and a BCS Sugar Bowl berth. He threw for 3,129 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was second in the SEC with 2,923 yards from scrimmage. Russell also won the SEC Offensive Player of the Week award three times during the regular season.

During one game against Tennessee, Russell started the game poorly, throwing three interceptions (including one that was returned for a touchdown), but subsequently led LSU on a 15-play, 80-yard comeback drive at the end of the game. At the end of the drive, Russel threw a touchdown pass to Early Doucet while there was less than 10 seconds left. As a result, LSU won 28–24. In the Allstate Sugar Bowl, he accumulated over 350 yards of passing and rushing combined and scored three touchdowns, leading LSU to a 41–14 win over Notre Dame. For his performance, he was named Sugar Bowl MVP.

At the end of the 2006 season, Russell was named to the all-SEC first-team, ahead of Kentucky's Andre Woodson and Florida's Chris Leak.

On January 10, 2007, Russell stated that he had decided to skip his final season of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2007 NFL draft.{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Guilbeau |title=LSU's JaMarcus Russell is going pro |url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/SPORTS0202/701110319/1028 |work=The Shreveport Times |date=January 11, 2007 |access-date=January 31, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190023/http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/SPORTS0202/701110319/1028 |url-status=dead }}

• Columbus Touchdown Club SEC Player of the Year (2005)
• 4× SEC Offensive Player of the Week (1 in 2005, 3 in 2006)
• First-team All-SEC by the Associated Press and SEC coaches (2006)
• Manning Award (2006)
• Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist (2006)

{{NFL predraft

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| note = Values were taken at LSU Pro Day.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=17117&draftyear=2007&genpos=QB|title=JaMarcus Russell|work=NFL Draft Scout|access-date=August 17, 2013}}{{cite web|title=JaMarcus Russell prospect profile|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/russell_jamarcus|publisher=NFL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703132631/http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/russell_jamarcus|archive-date=July 3, 2007}}

}}

John Clayton of ESPN stated that Russell's workouts at the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine that his arm strength and size impressed several teams, and predicted that it would "be hard to pass up on Russell at #1."{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft07/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2777414 |title=Russell makes a big impression |publisher=ESPN |date=February 23, 2007 |access-date=January 14, 2022}} At the combine, Russell stated about his size, "I started playing football at the age of 6, I've been playing quarterback ever since. I was always bigger and taller than the other kids, and I was always able to throw it a pretty good length of the field."{{cite news |author=Thomas, Jim |title=Bigger... Better? Russell's size, strength make him the likely No. 1 QB in the draft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66298573/st-louis-post-dispatch/ |newspaper=St. Louis Dispatch |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 16, 2007 |access-date=December 29, 2020}} Cleveland Browns General Manager Phil Savage said of Russell's abilities, "His talent is substantial. He's a rare combination of size and arm strength."{{cite news |author=Williams, Charean |title=History with QB no help for Browns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66298358/fort-worth-star-telegram/ |newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 24, 2007 |access-date=December 29, 2020}}

Russell was selected by the Oakland Raiders as the first overall pick.{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/draft.htm |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was one of four LSU players taken in the first round, along with safety LaRon Landry, and wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis.{{cite news|url=https://lsusports.net/news/2007/04/28/824904/|work=LSU Sports |title=Russell First of Four Tigers in NFL Draft First Round|date=April 28, 2007|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203031944/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=824904|archive-date=February 3, 2009|url-status=live}}

Former Detroit Lions general manager and Raiders linebacker Matt Millen said in 2015 he warned Raiders owner Al Davis not to draft Russell after Millen removed Russell from a pre-draft interview for being overly distracted.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/23/jamarcus-russell-matt-millen-warned-al-davis-raiders|title=Matt Millen says he advised Al Davis not to draft JaMarcus Russell in 2007|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=September 26, 2017}} Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin also stated in 2016 he did not want to draft Russell, preferring future Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson.{{cite web |last1=Brinson |first1=Will |title=Lane Kiffin says he 'begged' Al Davis to draft Megatron instead of JaMarcus Russell |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lane-kiffin-says-he-begged-al-davis-to-draft-megatron-instead-of-jamarcus-russell/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=December 27, 2020 |date=December 29, 2016}}{{cite magazine |last1=Thamel |first1=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |title=Reimagined, remastered, unleashed: Is new Lane Kiffin ready to succeed as head coach? |url=https://www.si.com/college/2016/12/29/lane-kiffin-alabama-usc-fau |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=December 27, 2020 |date=December 29, 2016}} After firing him in 2008, Davis acknowledged Kiffin opposed drafting Russell, but was indecisive towards his preferred pick.{{cite web |last1=Kawakami |first1=Tim |title=Al Davis, after the cameras were off: "(Kiffin) conned me like he conned all you people" |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2008/09/30/al-davis-after-the-cameras-were-off-kiffin-conned-me-like-you-conned-all-you-people/ |website=San Jose Mercury News|access-date=December 27, 2020|date=September 30, 2008}}{{cite web |title=Text of letter Al Davis said he gave to Lane Kiffin |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/raiders/2008-09-30-davis-letter_N.htm |website=USA Today|access-date=December 27, 2020|date=September 12, 2008}}

File:Raiders QBs in huddle at Falcons at Raiders 11-2-08.JPG]]

After failing to reach a contract agreement with the Raiders, Russell held out through training camp and into the first week of the 2007 NFL season, until September 12, when he signed a six-year contract worth up to $68 million, with $31.5 million guaranteed.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3016693|title=Deal exceeds Russell's financial goals, but holdout hinders playing time|work=ESPN.com|date=September 12, 2007|access-date=January 14, 2022}} Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin did not immediately name Russell the starting quarterback, saying, "That way we can really control what he is doing, play for this set amount of time for this many plays. He doesn't have to have everything mastered," noting that Russell had missed all of training camp and other quarterbacks, like David Carr, should have been brought along more slowly.{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20071120/ai_n21113587 |title=JaMarcus not about to start |work=The Oakland Tribune |first=Art |last=Spander |date=November 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203034317/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20071120/ai_n21113587 |archive-date=February 3, 2009}}

Russell made his first professional appearance on December 2, 2007, against the Denver Broncos. Coming into the game in the second quarter in relief of starter Josh McCown, Russell played two series, and completed 4 of 7 pass attempts for 56 yards.{{cite news |url=http://sportsline.com/nfl/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20071202_DEN@OAK |title=Russell debuts, but McCown leads Raiders past Broncos |work=CBS Sportsline |date=December 2, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206122821/http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20071202_DEN%40OAK |archive-date=December 6, 2007 }} On December 23, 2007, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Russell threw his first career touchdown pass, a two-yard pass to Zach Miller. He finished the game with seven completions on 23 pass attempts for 83 yards, with one touchdown pass, three interceptions and a lost fumble.{{cite news|title=Top pick Russell draws Chargers in first career start|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3167941|work=ESPN|date=December 24, 2007|first=Len|last=Pasquarelli|access-date=January 14, 2022}}

Russell made his first career start in the final game of the season against the San Diego Chargers. He was intercepted twice and lost a fumble, which led to 17 points off turnovers for the Chargers. After throwing his second interception, he did not initially get up off the field due to an injury, and he was taken to the locker room on a cart later in the game, after which he was replaced by Andrew Walter. In that first start, Russell completed 23 of 31 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a lost fumble.{{cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders - December 30th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200712300rai.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=January 14, 2022 |date=December 30, 2007}} Russell finished his rookie season with 36 completed passes on 66 attempts, 373 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. After the San Diego game, Kiffin named him the starting quarterback for the upcoming 2008 season.{{cite news |title=Russell's first start shows big strides |url=http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080101/SPORTS/801010359/1015/SPORT0502 |date=January 1, 2008 |first=Phil |last=Barber |work=The Press Democrat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104051131/http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080101/SPORTS/801010359/1015/SPORT0502 |archive-date=January 4, 2008 }}

File:Raiders on offense at Atlanta at Oakland 11-2-08 14.JPG.]]

Russell was named the starter for the opening game of the 2008 season, which was against division rival, Denver Broncos. The Raiders were beaten by the Broncos 41–14. Russell completed 17 of 26 pass attempts for 180 yards and also threw for two touchdowns, finishing with a passer rating of 111.1. He fumbled once early in the redzone while looking to complete a throw to Darren McFadden in the flat.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=29543&season=2008&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&week=REG1 |title=– NFL Game Center |work=Nfl.com |access-date=November 15, 2013}} In the next week against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders won 23–8. Russell passed for 55 yards and completed 6-of-17 passes with no touchdowns or interceptions.

In Week 7, the Raiders beat the New York Jets 16–13 in overtime. The win ended their four-game home losing streak. Russell completed 17-of-30 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/games/jets-at-raiders-2008-reg-7 |title= New York Jets at Oakland Raiders - 2008 Week 7 |work=NFL|date=October 19, 2008 |access-date=January 14, 2022}} It was head coach Tom Cable's first win as Raiders head coach. Russell led the team on a 43-yard drive to set up Sebastian Janikowski's game-winning field goal. The next four games were losses to the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins. A week after the Miami game, he led the Raiders to a 31–10 victory against Denver where he completed 10-of-11 passes for 152 yards and threw one touchdown.

Russell finished the 2008 season winning back to back games against the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In those last three games, Russell threw for six touchdowns and two interceptions.

In August 2009, Russell was named starting quarterback of the Raiders for the season.{{cite web|last=Karabell |first=Eric |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4419784&name=fantasy_football |title=Russell has upside as Raiders' starting QB |date=August 24, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=January 14, 2022}} In a Week 5 loss to the New York Giants, Russell lost three fumbles and passed for 100 yards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/games/raiders-at-giants-2009-reg-5|title=Oakland Raiders vs. New York Giants - October 11, 2009|website=NFL|access-date=January 14, 2022}} Following a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on November 15, Russell was benched indefinitely by coach Tom Cable in favor of Bruce Gradkowski. Gradkowski led two fourth-quarter comebacks and upset the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in the following two weeks, throwing five touchdown passes. After Gradkowski was injured against the Washington Redskins, Russell finished the game for the Raiders, which resulted in a loss. After the game, Cable decided to start backup Charlie Frye rather than Russell, which moved Russell to third on the depth chart. When Frye was injured against the Denver Broncos, Russell played near the end of the game. The game resulted in a win. He finished the 2009 season with the lowest quarterback rating, lowest completion percentage, fewest passing touchdowns, and fewest passing yards among qualifying quarterbacks in the NFL.[https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/passing/2009/POST/all/passingyards/DESC QB rating] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106042415/http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&seasonType=REG&d-447263-o=2&conference=null&statisticCategory=PASSING&d-447263-s=PASSING_PASSER_RATING&experience=null&d-447263-n=1&season=2009&Submit=Go&qualified=true&tabSeq=0&d-447263-p=1 |date=January 6, 2010 }}

In March of the 2010 offseason, NBC Sports described Russell as "annually and incredibly overweight", saying Russell, often criticized for a perceived lack of conditioning, arrived at mini-camp weighing 290 pounds, up from his initially reported weight of 271.{{cite web|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/26/report-jamarcus-a-svelte-290/|title=Report: JaMarcus a svelte 290

|date=March 26, 2010|work=NBC Sports|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901171048/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/36060532/ns/sports-player_news|archive-date=September 1, 2010|url-status=dead}} By April, National Football Post reported him at 300 pounds.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source-JaMarcus-Russell-is-tipping-the-scales-at-300-pounds.html |title=Scout: JaMarcus Russell is tipping the scales at 300 pounds |publisher=National Football Post |date=April 26, 2010 |access-date=September 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926104245/http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source-JaMarcus-Russell-is-tipping-the-scales-at-300-pounds.html |archive-date=September 26, 2010 }} However, Cam Inman of the Oakland Tribune said that Russell had "a good first minicamp" and "is in great shape" in the team's first training camp in late April.{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/04/30/candid-cam-raiders-russell-stuns-world-looks-capable-of-competing/|title=Candid Cam: Raiders' Russell stuns world, looks capable of 'competing' |work=Mercury News|date=April 30, 2010|access-date=January 14, 2022}} In an interview during camp, Russell said "Today I'm going to keep coming out, compete for the job, work my tail off."

That same month, the Raiders traded for Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, which left the team with five quarterbacks on the roster: Campbell, Russell, Frye, Gradkowski, and Kyle Boller. At the time, Cable said Russell could compete for the starting job.{{cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/04/tom-cable-says-jamarcus-russell-can-compete-with-jason-campbell-for-raiders-starting-job/1 |title=Tom Cable says JaMarcus Russell can compete with Jason Campbell for Raiders' starting job |publisher=USA Today|date=April 26, 2010 |access-date=November 15, 2013}} On May 6, 2010, the Raiders released Russell.{{cite news|title=Oakland Raiders release quarterback JaMarcus Russell|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/05/06/oakland-raiders-release-quarterback-jamarcus-russell/|newspaper=San Jose Mercury News|date=May 6, 2010|access-date=January 14, 2022}}

The Raiders filed a grievance on May 28, 2010, seeking $9.55 million back from Russell for what was paid as salary advances for the 2010 to 2012 NFL seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5227459 |title=Oakland Raiders seeking $9.55 million from JaMarcus Russell|publisher=ESPN|date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=January 14, 2022}} His agent said "The money in question was fully guaranteed. That is why Russell was forced to hold out and miss all of training camp as a rookie. The Raiders know that and this is our only comment."{{cite web |last1=Florio |first1=Mike |title=Raiders file grievance against JaMarcus Russell |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/27/raiders-file-grievance-against-jamarcus-russell/ |website=ProFootballTalk |access-date=January 14, 2022 |date=May 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531173413/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37389149/ns/sports-nfl/ |archive-date=May 31, 2010}} Russell subsequently filed a grievance against the Raiders, asserting he was owed an additional $9 million from the team, and the parties settled the complaints in 2013 with the Raiders paying Russell an extra $3 million.{{cite news |author=Tafur, Vic |title=Raiders, JaMarcus Russell reach $3 million settlement|url=https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Raiders-JaMarcus-Russell-reach-3-million-4644347.php |website=SFGate.com |date=July 2, 2013 |access-date=January 14, 2022}}

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said in May 2010, that the time was not right for the Saints to consider signing Russell, but added in that it was "newsworthy" when a high draft pick is released so soon, and said players like Russell often get second chances in the NFL.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5173977 |title=Saints not interested in Russell|publisher=ESPN |date=May 8, 2010 |access-date=January 14, 2022}} However, due in part to concerns about his work ethic, he has never played another down in an NFL game.{{cite magazine|first=L. Jon|last=Wertheim|title=The Man Who Isn't There|date=October 31, 2011|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2011/10/31/the-man-who-isnt-there|access-date=January 14, 2022}} On September 26, 2010, ESPN.com reported that Russell had moved to Houston, Texas, and was working out with former NBA standout and head coach John Lucas, who was also consulting him as a life coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5618297|title=Sources: Lucas helps JaMarcus Russell

|website=ESPN|date=October 17, 2011|access-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017085403/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5618297|archive-date=October 17, 2011}} Russell had a workout with the Washington Redskins on November 2, 2010, but was not signed. On November 15, 2010, Russell, who at the time was at 292 pounds, worked out for the Miami Dolphins with four other quarterbacks to replace an injured Chad Pennington on the Dolphins' roster. Patrick Ramsey was eventually signed.{{Cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/15/fins-kicked-tires-on-five-quarterbacks/|title=Fins kicked tires on five quarterbacks|date=March 24, 2011|access-date=September 26, 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324040717/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/15/fins-kicked-tires-on-five-quarterbacks/|archive-date=March 24, 2011}} In January 2011, Lucas attempted to arrange a meeting for Russell with Baltimore Ravens president Ozzie Newsome when the Ravens executive was in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl; however, Newsome refused to meet with Russell.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/jc-cole_jamarcus_russell_wastes_another_chance_041411.html|title=Sources: 'Life coach' gives up on QB Russell|website=Yahoo! Sports|date=September 17, 2011|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917015232/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-cole_jamarcus_russell_wastes_another_chance_041411|archive-date=September 17, 2011}} In April 2011, Lucas, who had become frustrated with Russell's work ethic, reportedly severed all ties with Russell and asked him to leave the Houston area.

In 2013, Russell stated that he was interested in returning to the NFL, and would train with various NFL players, including Marshall Faulk and Jeff Garcia, along with Olympian Ato Boldon.{{cite web|last=Patra|first=Kevin|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jamarcus-russell-preps-for-nfl-comeback-at-308-lbs-0ap1000000129925|title=JaMarcus Russell preps for NFL comeback at 308 lbs.|publisher=National Football League|date=January 23, 2013|access-date=January 14, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Boren |first1=Cindy |title=NFL draft bust JaMarcus Russell is attempting a comeback |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2013/01/23/nfl-draft-bust-jamarcus-russell-is-attempting-a-cojeback/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=January 14, 2022 |date=January 23, 2013}} Russell's comeback attempt was documented by Bleacher Report in a series titled JaMarcus Russell's Road Back to the NFL.{{cite web|author=Aaron Nagler|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1535213-comeback-2013-jamarcus-russells-road-back-to-the-nfl-episode-2|title=Comeback 2013: JaMarcus Russell's Road Back to the NFL, Episode 2|website=Bleacher Report|date=February 19, 2013|access-date=April 26, 2013}} In May 2013, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Russell had returned to his rookie weight of 265 pounds.{{cite news |author=Rosenthal, Gregg |title=JaMarcus Russell sheds 50 pounds on road to comeback |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jamarcus-russell-sheds-50-pounds-on-road-to-comeback-0ap1000000207039 |website=NFL.com |date=May 28, 2013|access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608032347/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000207039/article/jamarcus-russell-sheds-50-pounds-on-road-to-comeback |archive-date=June 8, 2013}} Interest from the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens had also been reported.{{cite web|last=Wesseling|first=Chris|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jamarcus-russell-set-for-chicago-bears-workout-friday-0ap1000000209222|title=JaMarcus Russell set for Chicago Bears workout Friday|publisher=National Football League|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608042527/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000209222/article/jamarcus-russell-set-for-chicago-bears-workout-Friday|archive-date=June 8, 2013}} Russell tried out for the Bears on June 7, 2013, and, according to a report from ESPN, presented a "solid" performance while working out alongside fellow free-agent quarterbacks Trent Edwards and Jordan Palmer. The Bears did not sign him, stating they were not interested in adding a fourth quarterback to the roster.{{cite web|author=Michael C. Wright|url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/9354014/source-jamarcus-russell-gives-solid-workout-chicago-bears-not-likely-sign-him|title=Source: Russell deal unlikely|publisher=ESPN|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=January 14, 2022}} However, the Bears did sign both Edwards and Palmer two months later.{{cite web|author=Mike Florio| url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/18/bears-add-trent-edwards/|title=Bears add Trent Edwards|publisher=Pro Football Talk|date=August 18, 2013|access-date=January 24, 2014}}{{cite web|author=Mike Wilkening| url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/16/report-bears-add-quarterback-jordan-palmer/|title=Report: Bears add quarterback Jordan Palmer|publisher=Pro Football Talk|date=August 16, 2013|access-date=January 24, 2014}} In April 2016, Russell told Sports Illustrated that he had written letters to all 32 NFL teams asking for a tryout and pledging to play one year for free, although no team responded to the letters.{{cite news|publisher=Pro Football Talk|author=Michael David Smith|date=April 26, 2016|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/26/jamarcus-russell-wrote-every-team-asking-for-a-chance/|title=JaMarcus Russell wrote every team, asking for a chance}}

NFL.com's Steve Wyche claimed that Russell is the biggest draft bust in NFL history. The Huffington Post named him one of the 13 biggest draft busts of the 2000s. ESPN's Bill Williamson called Russell a "talented but extremely disappointing" quarterback.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5172061 |title=Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell goes unclaimed, clears waivers|publisher=ESPN|date=May 7, 2010 |access-date=January 14, 2022}} In addition, Russell's 2009 passer rating of 50.0 was the lowest rating by a starting quarterback in the NFL since 1998. His final stats during his tenure as a Raider were 52.1% pass completion, 18–23 TD-INT ratio, a passer rating of 65.2, and fumbled 25 times, 15 of those were lost fumbles.

No Oakland player wore Russell's #2 jersey number during the regular season for several years after his release; punter Marquette King wore it during Oakland's 2012 preseason before being placed on season-ending injured reserve. In 2011, newly drafted quarterback Terrelle Pryor's request to wear #2 was turned down by then-coach Hue Jackson, and Ann Killion from Sports Illustrated said it was to avoid comparisons to Russell.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2011/08/27/terrelle-pryor|magazine=Sports Illustrated|author=Killion, Ann|title=New number, opportunity for Pryor|date=August 26, 2011|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127071609/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ann_killion/08/26/terrelle.pryor/|archive-date=January 27, 2013}} However, in 2013, Raiders coach Dennis Allen allowed Pryor to trade numbers with King beginning in training camp.{{cite web|last=Sessler|first=Marc|title=Raiders' Terrelle Pryor takes JaMarcus Russell's No. 2|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-terrelle-pryor-takes-jamarcus-russell-s-no-2-0ap1000000232664|work=NFL|access-date=January 14, 2022}}

In June 2022, after spending many years out of public eye, Russell wrote a personal essay for The Players Tribune, titled "Y'all Don't Know a Damn Thing About Jamarcus Russell". In the piece, he addressed his lean consumption during his LSU career, his family, and his "bust" designation.{{cite web |last1=Russell |first1=Jamarcus |title=Y'all Don't Know a Damn Thing About Jamarcus Russell |url=https://signature.theplayerstribune.com/jamarcus-russell-nfl-football |website=The Players Tribune}}

Russell's uncle Ray Ray Russell was a long-time DJ and radio host for the Mobile, Alabama-based station WBLX until his death in 2009. In 2011, his cousin DeAngelo Parker started Ray Ray's Chicken and Waffles franchise in honor of him in Mobile, Alabama.{{cite news

|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/08/SPGQ1REGA811.DTL

|title=It's all relative: Raiders' Russell bunks down with a Bear

|first=Rusty

|last=Simmons

|work=San Francisco Chronicle

|date=August 8, 2007

|access-date=February 3, 2008}} In an ESPN feature produced in 2013, Russell later recalled not having the time to properly grieve the deaths of Ray Ray and his other uncle, which occurred within months of each other, and he never told the Raiders of his mental anguish during his disastrous 2009 season.{{Cite AV media |url=https://vimeo.com/64679860 |title=ESPN: Jamarcus Russell - Waking Up [FULL FEATURE] |publisher=Evolve Studios |date=April 23, 2013 |access-date=November 3, 2019 }}

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Russell housed around a dozen evacuees who had fled the flooding in New Orleans, including New Orleans singer Fats Domino, in his off-campus apartment.{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9180309/1

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213075000/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9180309/1

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=February 13, 2007

|title=LSU QB shares home with Fats Domino

|work=MSNBC

|date=September 4, 2005

}}

On July 5, 2010, Russell was arrested at his Mobile, Alabama home for being in possession of codeine syrup without a valid prescription.{{cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/tafur/article/Russell-accused-of-illegal-codeine-possession-3259743.php | title=Russell accused of illegal codeine possession | first=Vittorio | last=Tafur | date=July 7, 2010 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=January 14, 2022}} His arrest was the culmination of a two-month investigation that did not initially target Russell, but his name and address surfaced repeatedly during the investigation.{{cite web|last1=Rosenthal|first1=Gregg |title=JaMarcus Russell arrest was two months in the making |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/06/jamarcus-russell-arrest-was-two-months-in-the-making/ |website=ProFootballTalk |access-date=January 14, 2022 |date=July 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709022110/http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38113855 |archive-date=July 9, 2010}} Russell was bailed out, and a bond hearing was scheduled for July 7, 2010. At his July 20, 2010, arraignment, Russell pleaded 'not guilty' to a state felony charge of possession of a controlled substance.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5394803|title=Former Oakland Raider JaMarcus Russell pleads not guilty to felony drug charge|publisher=ESPN|date=July 20, 2010 |access-date=January 14, 2022}} On October 29, 2010, a Mobile County grand jury declined to indict Russell on the charge of possession of codeine syrup without a prescription.{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/10/no-charges-for-jamarcus-russell-in-purple-drank-case/1 |title=No charges for JaMarcus Russell in 'purple drank' case |publisher=USATODAY.com |date=October 29, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2010}} By at least one account, the arrest severely diminished his prospects of catching on with another NFL team.

Rumors of "purple drank" use by Russell had been noted by local journalists for some time during his tenure with the Raiders, but not reported due to the lack of evidence or corroboration.{{Cite web|url=http://www.footballnewsnow.com/2010/codeine-rumors-swirled-around-jamarcus-russell-prior-to-arrest/|title=Codeine Rumors Swirled Around JaMarcus Russell Prior to Arrest|website=Football News Now|date=July 11, 2011|access-date=September 26, 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711020144/http://www.footballnewsnow.com/2010/codeine-rumors-swirled-around-jamarcus-russell-prior-to-arrest/|archive-date=July 11, 2011}} In an interview with ESPN's Colleen Dominguez, Russell stated that he tested positive for codeine after he was selected by the Raiders in the 2007 NFL draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/73367/jamarcus-russell-admits-positive-test-for-codeine |title=JaMarcus Russell Admits Positive Test For Codeine |publisher=ESPN |date=August 13, 2010 |access-date=January 14, 2022}}

On June 29, 2024, it was reported that Russell was facing a lawsuit in which he was accused of taking a $74,000 check that was meant for the Williamson High School football program, his alma mater.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40457877/former-no-1-pick-jamarcus-russell-fired-coach-faces-lawsuit |title=Former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell fired as coach, faces lawsuit |publisher=ESPN |date=June 29, 2024 |access-date=June 29, 2024}} Russell, who had been a volunteer assistant coach at Williamson since 2018, was fired from this position in the fall of 2023. Russell allegedly approached the donor in the summer of 2022 about a donation to purchase weight room equipment for the Williamson football team. Russell received a check for $74,000 from the donor in July 2022, deposited it at a credit union, and immediately withdrew $55,000. The donor eventually stopped payment on the check when Russell wouldn't provide a receipt of the donation and stopped returning his phone calls. The case is set to go to trial in October 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.wkrg.com/sports/local-sports/jamarcus-russell-out-as-williamson-assistant-former-nfl-qb-sued-over-74k-donation-to-alma-mater/amp/ |title=JaMarcus Russell out as Williamson assistant; former NFL QB sued over $74k donation intended for alma mater |publisher=WKRG News 5 |date=June 29, 2024 |access-date=June 29, 2024}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

{{Portal|American football}}

• {{espn nfl|id=10446|name=JaMarcus Russell}}
• [https://lsusports.net/sports/football/roster/jamarcus-russell/18243 LSU Tigers bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100120082117/http://www.raiders.com/team/roster/jamarcus-russell/38321eb1-8ecd-443b-bcd9-768e16255d9c/ Oakland Raiders bio]
• [http://www.ahsfhs.org/legends/playersbio1c.asp?id=1622 AHSFHS profile]

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Category:1985 births

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Category:American football quarterbacks

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