AUBURN, Ala. – Many people are proud to be part of the Auburn Family, but few have experienced it quite like senior receiver Malcolm Russell. The youngest branch of a multi-generational Auburn Family tree, the Pelham product's Tiger roots run deep.
Most famous is Russell's maternal great-grandfather, football head coach Jack Meagher, whose teams from 1934-42 were known as "Meagher's Marauders" for their toughness and aggressive style of play as they played most of their games on the road. The coach for Auburn's first-ever bowl game, Meagher looms large in Russell family lore.
"Jack Meagher was my mom's grandfather," Russell explained. "He passed away before I was born, but she has some good memories of him. As far as Auburn in our family, he started it off and all of his kids ended up doing the same thing.
"My grandfather John Meagher was from a large family – he had five brothers and sisters and they all went to Auburn. My grandfather came here and played basketball for one year – he lettered but only played for one year, because he said he came to try out the second year but the war had just ended and the line was too long, so he went home. His younger brother, Pat, was on the 1957 national championship football team that ended up winning it all; he was coached by Shug Jordan, who was once Meagher's assistant.
"We grew up hearing those stories and for all of us – me, my little brother Graham, my cousins – for all of us, coming to Auburn was always the goal. I was going to come here regardless of whether they let me play football or not, and then I was invited as a walk-on, so it was a no-brainer."
Russell joined the Tigers August 2018 out of John Carroll High in Birmingham, and the civil engineering major's transition was actually easier off the field than on it.
"Luckily for me, my high school was very academics focused, so I was more prepared for the academics than I expected to be," the SEC academic honor roll student recalled. "Ellie Macchione and the academic counselors guided me to pick the right classes as a fall freshman starting football as to not overwhelm me, but there were still times I was like, 'Oh crap, I don't know how I'm going to get all this done today.' Even though my head was spinning here with football, off the field my academics were not a huge issue."
Huge during his time in the football program have been the memorable moments Russell has been able to experience.
"Memorable? My first chance to get in a game, against Samford in 2019. Beating Alabama in the 2019 Iron Bowl – I can't think of anything that would top that," he laughed. "The bowl game against Purdue, when we were up by 50 at halftime, and having to ask the upperclassmen are they all like this? And then covid – I'll be able to tell my kids I was there for it – that's been very strange.
"The time has flown by – I haven't really stopped to smell the roses – it feels like I had just gotten here and sat down in the first team meeting; it doesn't seem like that was three years ago. I've enjoyed all of it.
"This year, my biggest goal would be to travel one week, and to get in a game. For the team, I think we've looked complete and have a lot of depth. It always takes a little bit of luck, but I definitely think we have the pieces to put it all together this year."
Russell hopes that many young Tiger fans build the same bonds with Auburn as he and his brother did as children.
"Our family has been here for really all of the home games, all the 2010 games, all the games in 2013 – a lot of great games that went our way. The whole family would come to the games when I was little," he said. "I remember more the games that stick out – the West Virginia game when it rained so hard, some of the Clemson games and I remember the reactions coming home, especially if it was a loss, like the USF game. The demeanor at our house was very subdued.
"But I mostly remember the games that we weren't allowed to go to and had to watch on TV – I remember being stuck at home with one of my cousins who is older than us babysitting us. We really wanted to be at the games.
"Growing up, my favorite player was probably Cadillac (Williams, Auburn's current running back coach). I had the old NCAA game and I would just run halfback toss with Cadillac over and over again until my fingers got numb. I have never told him that – I've thought about it, but it might make him feel really old. And obviously Cam Newton – that whole team was really awesome."
Scheduled to graduate in the spring, Russell is carrying on another family tradition in choosing to major in civil engineering. "I picked that because both my grandfather and uncle were civil engineers," he said. "Growing up, I was always like, 'Yeah, I'll be an engineer,' not quite knowing what that would entail. When I got here, I had a class where they took you through each major of engineering and civil was definitely what I wanted to do, the business and construction aspect of it. That's what I plan to do in the future – go into a construction business."
Part of his future plans include passing along the life lessons he has learned as a student-athlete.
"I'll use t with my kids, that things aren't always given, things aren't always earned even, but no matter what, you've got to work hard to give yourself the best opportunity," he said. "The good times don't always last – it's flown by -- so enjoy them while you're there. Even if you've got a tough workout or a tough run the next day, this is still the most enjoyable time, so stay in the moment."
Russell is determined to share his love for Auburn with the next generations.
"I've thought about that and how my family taught me," he said. "I don't ever remember anyone sitting me down and saying we root for Auburn and you say War Eagle and you know the fight song and each little piece – no one ever taught me that. It was just so ingrained and it was understood and I feel like my kids will definitely be that way.
"I will show them the Creed and make sure they are aware of everything that makes Auburn unique. There are going to be pictures in my house and things that say we root for Auburn, we wear orange and blue. I'm sure one day they'll come home and say those two words that aren't about the ocean and we'll have to have a little talk and say we don't use those words, only War Eagle. I can't wait to bring them around."
And Malcolm Russell will never forget the family that has made everything possible for him.
"To the Auburn Family, thank you for all the support. Seeing the difference after covid, to see the stadium full again was incredible," he said. "The SEC games are going to be absolutely rocking. I just want to tell the fans thank you – we've had some ups and downs but, just like I expected, they've stuck with us the whole way.
"To Auburn University, I want to say thank you for the opportunity. I was going to come here regardless and then to be given an opportunity to play football here was just truly an honor.
"To wear the AU on my helmet with Russell on my back and Auburn on my front, a lot of people wish and hope they would get to do it but not many people do. I'm truly blessed."Auburn Family: Malcolm Russell's great-grandfather, Jack Meagher, coached the Tigers from 1934-42