Here is the original report re Cable’s interview last night, with a link to the audio:
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/raiders/archives/2010/01/cable-speaks-to.html

http://blog.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2010/01/mardi_gras_mamga_king_elexis_i.html

Mardi Gras "
Mardi Gras: MAMGA King Elexis I is JaMarcus Trenell Russell
By Roy Hoffman
January 31, 2010, 7:00AM

(Courtesy Isiah’s Photography Studio)JaMarcus Russell says football "has kept me out of trouble, let me travel all over the world, made me a very rich young man and brought me a lot of joy." His royal attire, including his crown, pays tribute to his years on the gridiron. The crown features a gold football with the No. 2 and a gold tiger, plus two angels representing his beloved uncles. MOBILE, Ala. — When JaMarcus Trenell Russell, quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, tells friends and teammates in California about Mardi Gras in Mobile, many of them, he said, are not familiar with Mobile’s carnival tradition.

Soon, the 6-foot-6- inch, 270-pound athlete will change that perception for all those who know him, including, surely, his thousands of fans.

"I’ll invite some of my teammates to the ball," he said.

Surely, they will be surprised — and educated — by seeing that Russell has exchanged his football helmet for a monarch’s crown.

"I knew it was special for my mother," said Russell of his becoming King Elexis I.

"This is like a fairy tale come true," said Zina Russell-Anderson, Russell’s mother, who had hoped to be in the MAMGA court in 1985, but was expecting a baby.

Mardi Gras special
Jan. 31, 2010

A 40-page special section devoted to the Mobile area’s 2010 season of revelry is included in the Sunday Press-Register, available wherever newspapers are sold and afterward while supplies last at the Press-Register building at 401 N. Water St. in Mobile.

Watch for continuing Mardi Gras coverage and read past articles, with photo galleries and parade videos, online at al.com."It was me," said Russell, who grew up to make good on his mother’s hope to be part of MAMGA’s royalty in some way.

He looks forward to sharing the coronation ceremony with his whole family, including his sister, JaLesia; his mother and stepfather, Zina Russell-Anderson and Martin Anderson; and his father and stepmother, Bobby Lloyd and Barbara.

Among his extended family are grandmothers Bernice Arnold Russell and Dorothy Todd Lloyd.

At his Grandmother Bernice’s home in Mobile is one of his Raiders jerseys, emblazoned with the No. 2, framed on a wall.

Football has been good to Russell. "It has kept me out of trouble," he said, "let me travel all over the world, made me a very rich young man and brought me a lot of joy."

For all these "blessings," as he calls them, he has dedicated his life, as well, to "giving back" to those less fortunate, starting his own foundation.

Russell attended Williamson High School, playing football under head coach Bobby Parrish. He started and never missed a game.

In his freshman year, the 14-year-old completed 180 of 324 passes for 2,683 yards and 20 touchdowns, helping lead Williamson to the state championship game.

As a junior, he passed for 1,850 yards and 17 touchdowns.

His best high school season was his senior year, completing 219 of 372 passes for 3,332 yards and 22 touchdowns.

As the result of his outstanding high school career, he garnered numerous awards.

Among his distinctions, he was named Alabama’s "Mr. Football" and SuperPrep Dixie offensive player of the year.

He was a standout in basketball, too.

"I thought I was going to be a pro basketball player," he said, looking back on his teenage years.

Colleges came calling. He signed with Louisiana State University and soon became starting quarterback.

He led the LSU Tigers to a 10-1 season and the SEC Western Division title, and a Top 5 ranking going into the SEC championship game.

At the end of the 2006 season, he was named to the all-SEC first team, and was named an honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated. Among his college football honors was being most valuable player in the 2007 Sugar Bowl.

He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, taken by the Oakland Raiders.

Football, family and faith are strong themes in Russell’s life.

Two phrases are tattooed on his hands: "R.I.P. MIKE" and "R.I.P. Uncle Ray," both tributes to his beloved uncles, Mike Russell and Ray Ray Russell.

Both uncles passed away last spring.

Ray Ray Russell was well known in the region as a deejay on WBLX radio who succumbed, after a long illness, to congestive heart failure.

Russell speaks with love and admiration for his uncles.

Russell’s royal train is designed and executed by Maggie Outsey-Johnson and the staff of Eternal Elegance Inc. The garment pays homage to his years playing football. At its center are the letters "NFL."

Eternal Elegance Inc. describes the royal suit as "a military styled jacket made of black silk brocade with a woven Greek key design trimmed in front and around the collar in mink.

"The rhinestone trims, gold bugle beaded appliques and braidings of the train are repeated through the jacket. His black silk dupioni pants are trimmed on the sides with the silk brocade of the jacket and black and gold rhinestone trim."

His crown and scepter are designed by Tommy and Tanya Cain and executed by Jane and Jim Rhinewalt of Dynasty Collections Inc. of Mobile. According to Dynasty: "The base of the crown consists of four rows of large round crystals. The design of the crown features large tiffany, pear and rectangle shaped stones alternating with majestic gold lion heads encrusted with diamond eyes. Family birthstones are throughout the crown. The center back of the crown features the king’s monogram.

"A gold football with the No. 2 adorns the back of the crown, along with a gold LSU tiger, the year 2010, a cross made with family members’ birthstones and two angels representing uncles who were dear to him."

MEET THE KING: JaMarcus Trenell Russell, 24

Family: parents Zina (Martin) Russell- Anderson and Bobby and Barbara Lloyd, sister JaLesia Russell, six stepsisters and one stepbrother.
Education: graduate of Williamson High school and Louisiana State University
Career: quarterback for the Oakland Raiders
Favorite entertainer: Young Jeezy
Favorite movies: “Blind Side,” “American Gangster” and “Scarface”
Favorite book: the Bible
Hobbies: bowling, playing video games, shooting pool and “chillin’ with my family”
Social issue he’s concerned about: “I have a nonprofit organization, the JaMarcus Russell Foundation for Academic and Athletic Excellence, which (encourages) student athletes to excel and focus on academics as well as athletic ability.” The Arthur “Ray Ray” Russell Foundation for Rolling Readers provides two schools with $1,000 worth of library books every year to help students excel in reading.

Knights of King Elexis I
Several knights will attend King Elexis I, JaMarcus Russell, as he reigns over the festivities of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association this season:

Knight Raymond Buchanon Jr. is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Buchanon Sr. of Mobile. He is a graduate of LeFlore Magnet High School of Communications and Performing Arts, where he played football and served as vice president of VICA. He enjoys fishing and assisting his father with electrical work. He attends St. Stephens AME Church, where he is a member of the Youth Choir and Usher Board. He is studying architecture and drafting at Bishop State Community College, where he is on the Dean’s list and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He plans to continue his education at the University of South Alabama and major in mechanical engineering. MAMGA Queen Danielle Hodge is his cousin.

Knight Kyle Branch Flakes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis M. Flakes Sr. of Mobile, is a graduate of The Arnold School of Alabama, where he was a member of the Student Government Association and the yearbook staff. He received a scholarship from Jack and Jill of America Inc. and the Andretta Thomas Leadership Award. He is a member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Mobile, where he serves as an acolyte, a vacation Bible school teacher and a member of Episcopal Youth Community (EYC). A former student at Bishop State, he is now studying business at Talladega College, where he is a member of the Marketing Club and the Student Government Association. He has served as a volunteer with The Angel Tree Foundation, the AIDS Foundation, Youth Leadership Mobile, Jack and Jill and Culturama. He plans to pursue a career in marketing.

Knight Jasenn Cleveland Hardin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hardin. He is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where he played football and was a member of the National Honor Society, the Ambassador Club and the SGA. A semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship program, he received scholarships from the Southern Society of Black Engineers and the Junior Knights of Peter Claver. He attends Prince of Peace Catholic Church, where he is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver. He is studying mathematics and applied actuary sciences at Auburn University, where he is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and Catholic Campus Ministries. He also volunteers at the Auburn City Food Bank.

Second-Knight Zachary D. Lucas is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Malone Sr. of Mobile and the Rev. and Mrs. Charles E. Lucas of Mount Vernon. He is a graduate of LeFlore, where he was a member of the basketball team, Kappa League and Camp Focus. He was named Most Likely to Succeed and Most Intelligent by his senior class and graduated with honors. He attends Mount Olive Baptist Church No. 1, where he is superintendent of the Junior Sunday school and president of the Crusaders. He also sings in the choir. He is studying business at Tuskegee University, where he is a member of the Honor Society. He plans to earn a master’s degree. His cousin, Azure Joiner, was MAMGA queen in 2003. His sister, Stefannie Lucas, was queen in 2007.

MAMGA fetes

Here’s a quick look at this season’s events for the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association:
JUNIOR COURT LUNCHEON: 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ashbury Hotel & Suites, 600 W. I-65 Service Road South. Cost: $35.
JUNIOR MONARCHS CORONATION: 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at Blount High School auditorium, 5450 Lott Road, Prichard. Tickets: $5.
GRAND MARSHAL’S BALL: 10 p.m. Feb. 12 at Mobile Convention Center. Cost: $50 per person, $500 per table. Must be 21 or older.
GRAND MARSHAL’S PARTY: a semi-formal, cabaret-style event honoring Norman O. Francis, 9 p.m. Feb. 13 at Bishop State central campus. Cost: $10.
CORONATION: 8:15 p.m. Feb. 14 at Mobile Civic Center Theater. Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children. Ticket outlets: Kidd’s Package Store, 1630 St. Stephens Road; Dotch’s Barber & Style Salon, 3305 Dauphin Island Parkway.
ROYAL FEAST: 11 a.m. Feb. 15 at Battle House Hotel, 26 N. Royal St. Cost: $40 per person, $400 per table.
MAMMOTH PARADE: 2 p.m. Feb. 16 on Route B.
INFO: 251-432-3050 or www.mamga.comKnight Alonzo V. McCord Jr. is the son of Jennifer and Alonzo McCord Sr. of Mobile. He is a graduate of McGill-Toolen, where he was captain of the football team and also active in track and basketball. He was president of the African American Club and a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students. He was also on the 4A-6A All-Region Football Team and participated in the North/South All-Star Game. He attends Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He is studying therapeutic recreation at Grambling State University in Grambling, La., where he is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Kinesiology, Sports and Leisure Studies Club.

Knight Cory Alexander Marshall is the son of Cara Marshall of Mobile and Leo Alexander of Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of Vigor High School, where he was a member of the football team. He attends Word of Life Community Church. He is studying biology and chemistry at Alabama State University, where he is on the Dean’s List and active in the Biology Med Club.

First Knight Jeff Martin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Martin. He is a graduate of McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School in New Orleans, where he lettered in football and served as team captain. He also participated in track and field events and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was active in the concert and marching bands, where he led the French horn section. He attends Resurrection Catholic Church in New Orleans, where he serves as an usher. He also volunteers with Big Brother/Little Brother of Baton Rouge. He holds a journalism degree from Louisiana State University, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the National Association of Black Journalists. He also served as equipment manager for the LSU football team. He is a freelance writer who works for the Associated Press.

Knight Gary A. Miller Jr. , son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Miller Sr., is a graduate of Vigor, where he was a member of the football, basketball and track teams. He attends Friendship Primitive Baptist Church in Prichard. He studied sports medicine at Troy University before joining the U.S. Navy five years ago.

Knight Brandon Tartt is the son of Paul Gamble and Jaquline Tartt, both of Mobile. He is a graduate of LeFlore, where he was a member of the ROTC and Color Guard. He is a member of Nazaree Baptist Church of Mobile. He is studying business at Faulkner State University and plans to pursue a career in real estate. Licensed by the Alabama Board of Cosmetologists, he works as a stylist at Genesis Hair Studio.

Knight Jesse Watkins is the son of Cleo Williams of Houston and Zackary Watkins of Mobile. He is a graduate of LeFlore, where he was a member of the chorus, Mobile Kappa League and the basketball team. He attends Trinity AME Zion Church, where he teaches Sunday school. He is studying business management and accounting at Tuskegee University, where he serves on the SGA’s Events Committee. He plans to pursue a career as an accountant.