Former Houston Texan Mario Williams might have signed with the Buffalo Bills last year on the most lucrative contract in NFL history for a defensive player, but $100 million ($50 million of it guaranteed) is no match for a broken heart — or a former lover's ire.
The defensive end has filed suit against his former fiancée, Houstonian Erin Marzouki, in hopes of retrieving a $785,000 diamond engagement ring, as well as $108,000 worth of American Express charges incurred between January 1 and December 31 of last year and compensation for the $230,000 worth of "luxurious items" that Williams purchased for her throughout the course of their relationship. (Ultimate Texans blogger David Barron first reported the news.)
That relationship ended around January 21, 2013, when Marzouki "unilaterally terminated the parties' engagement" that had commenced in February 2012.
"Defendant never intended to marry Plaintiff and used the relationship as a means to get Plaintiff's money and acquire gifts," alleges the suit, filed in Harris County on May 3. "Defendant has absconded with the engagement ring."
And what a ring: The lawsuit describes it as "a GIA certified radiant cut diamond weighing 10.04 carats, E color grade, and VS2 clarity grade," purchased from Valobra Master Jewelers.
Williams wants it back. To that end, his attorneys have requested that the court issue a temporary restraining order, a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction that Marzouki cannot get rid of the ring. Will he be successful in this endeavor? Deadspin breaks down the problem with the "conditional gift" here.
Former Houston Texan Mario Williams wants his money.
