Russell Wesley Jolivet first discovered his talent as a football player at Kashmere Gardens Junior High School in Houston, Texas under Coach Melvin Jones. That team won the Co-City Championship and Russell was named All-City Quarterback. He developed those skills at Kashmere Gardens Senior High School under Coach Billy Matthews. Russell played quarterback while his brother, Arnold played on the same team as a tight end. This is where he was first dubbed “Houdini”. The Rams were named Co-City/District Champions and Russell was selected as a quarterback on the first team All-City/District and Honorable Mention All-State football teams. He also ran track under Coach O. Ross.
In 1962, legendary Coach Earl Banks recruited Russell to play football at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Both Russell and his brother, Arnold received full scholarships to attend. During his four years at Morgan, Russell’s team only lost three games and was on the front end of a thirty-two game winning streak. In 1964, The Pittsburgh Courier named Russell an Honorable Mention All-American. While at Morgan, the team won three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships, won the 1965 Orange Blossom Bowl and was named National Black College Champions. Russell was named to the All-CIAA football team and was chosen as the most valuable player in the 1965 Orange Blossom Classic played in Miami, Florida. Among his teammates were: National Football League Hall of Famers, Leroy Kelly of the Cleveland Browns and Willie Lanier of the Kansas City Chiefs. The opponents he faced in college included Bob Hayes, Florida A&M, Elvin Bethea, North Carolina A&T University, Art Shell and Emerson Boozer, Maryland Eastern Shore University.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Morgan, Russell played for the Virginia Sailors, the farm team for the Washington Redskins and the Harrisburg Capitals, a Baltimore Colts Affiliate. Russell then began a professional career in human resources. He served as the Assistant Chief of Personnel for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, then as the Vice President of Personnel and Administration for Citicorp before retiring as the Director of Human Resources for the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Both Russell and Arnold were inducted into the Morgan State Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2015, Russell was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws for his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement by Morgan State University. Russell also was inducted into The Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association Hall of Honor and Hall of Fame in 2017.
In his free time, Russell enjoys golf, gardening, and volunteering for various causes. He is a faithful member of Epworth United Methodist Chapel and a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Russell has been married to the love of his life, Ernestine for fifty-two years. They have two children: Aaron Jolivet and Tina Jolivet, Esq., a Daughter-in-Law Christie Jolivet and three beautiful grandchildren: Jade Jolivet, Brooke Jolivet, and Bria Naylor. Russell also has four brothers and 3 sisters all residing in Houston, Texas.