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                                                                       EXHIBIT 2


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated January 30, 2004 (the
"Agreement"), is between Russell Corporation, an Alabama corporation ("Russell
Alabama"), and Russell Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Russell Delaware")
and a wholly owned subsidiary of Russell Alabama. Russell Alabama and Russell
Delaware are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Constituent
Corporations."

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, Russell Alabama is a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Alabama, and, as of the date hereof, has 32,525,306
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding
("Russell Alabama Common Stock").

         WHEREAS, Russell Delaware is a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, and, as of the date hereof, has 1,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding ("Russell
Delaware Common Stock"), all of which are held by Russell Alabama.

         WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Russell Alabama and
Russell Delaware have adopted and approved, as the case may be, this Agreement,
which is the plan of merger for purposes of the Alabama Business Corporation Act
and the agreement of merger for purposes of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger
(as hereinafter defined).

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Russell Alabama has determined that
for the purpose of effecting the reincorporation of Russell Alabama in the State
of Delaware, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including the Merger, are advisable and in the best interests of Russell Alabama
and its shareholders, and the Board of Directors of Russell Delaware has
determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including the Merger are advisable and in the best interests of
Russell Delaware and its sole stockholder.

         WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Russell Alabama and
Russell Delaware have determined to recommend this Agreement and the Merger to
their respective shareholders and stockholder, as the case may be.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants
set forth herein, Russell Alabama and Russell Delaware hereby agree, subject to
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   THE MERGER

         1.1 Merger. In accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the
Delaware General Corporation Law and the Alabama Business Corporation Act,
Russell Alabama shall be merged with and into Russell Delaware (the "Merger"),
whereupon the separate existence of Russell Alabama shall cease and Russell
Delaware shall be, and is hereinafter sometimes referred to as, the "Surviving
Corporation."

         1.2 Filing and Effectiveness. The Merger shall become effective, upon
the filing of (i) the certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware and (ii) the articles of merger with the Secretary of State of
the State of Alabama, unless another date and time is set forth in the
certificate of merger and the articles of merger. The date and time when the
Merger shall become effective is referred to herein as the "Effective Date of
the Merger."



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         1.3 Effect of the Merger. On the Effective Date of the Merger, the
separate existence of Russell Alabama shall cease, and the Merger shall have the
effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the Delaware General
Corporation Law and the Alabama Business Corporation Act.

                                   ARTICLE II
                    CHARTER DOCUMENTS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         2.1 Certificate of Incorporation. The Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Russell Delaware in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Date of the Merger shall be, as of the Effective Date of the Merger, the
certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in
accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law.

         2.2 By-laws. The Amended and Restated By-laws of Russell Delaware in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall be, as of the
Effective Date of the Merger, the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until
duly amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law.

         2.3 Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of the Surviving
Corporation as of the Effective Date of the Merger shall be the same as the
directors and officers of Russell Alabama immediately prior to the Effective
Date of the Merger.

                                   ARTICLE III
                         MANNER OF CONVERSION OF SHARES

         3.1 Russell Alabama Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of the
Merger, each share of Russell Alabama Common Stock (excluding shares held by
shareholders who perfect their provided in Section 3.2 of this Agreement) that
is issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action by the Constituent Corporations, the holder of
such shares or any other person, be converted into the right to receive one
fully paid and nonassessable share of Russell Delaware Common Stock (the "Merger
Consideration"). As of the Effective Date of the Merger, all shares of Russell
Alabama Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist and each certificate that
previously represented such shares of Russell Alabama Common Stock shall
thereafter represent the Merger Consideration for all such shares.

         3.2 Dissenting Shareholders. Any holder of shares of Russell Alabama
Common Stock who perfects his or her dissenters' rights of appraisal in
accordance with and Corporation Act shall be entitled to receive the value of
such shares in cash as determined pursuant to Article 13 of the Alabama Business
Corporation Act; provided, however, that no such payment shall be made to any
dissenting shareholder unless and until such dissenting shareholder has complied
with the applicable provisions of the Alabama Business Corporation Act, and
surrendered to the Surviving Corporation the certificate or certificates
representing the shares for which payment is being made. In the event that after
the Effective Date of the Merger a dissenting shareholder of Russell Alabama
fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, his or her right to
appraisal and of payment for his or her shares, such dissenting shareholder
shall be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with Section
3.1 upon surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the shares of
Russell Alabama Common Stock held by such shareholder.

         3.3 Shareholders Rights Plan. Shares of Russell Delaware Common Stock
that shall be issuable to shareholders of Russell Alabama pursuant to Section
3.1 shall include the associated rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the
Rights Agreement between Russell Alabama, Russell Delaware and SunTrust Bank,
dated as of September 15, 1999, as amended immediately prior to the Effective
Date of the Merger.


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         3.4 Russell Alabama Options, Stock Purchase Rights and Other
Equity-Based Awards.

                  (a) Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, the Surviving
         Corporation shall assume and continue any and all stock option, stock
         incentive and other equity-based award plans heretofore adopted by
         Russell Alabama (individually, an "Equity Plan" and, collectively, the
         "Equity Plans"), and shall reserve for issuance under each Equity Plan
         a number of shares of Russell Delaware Common Stock equal to the number
         of shares of Russell Alabama Common Stock so reserved immediately prior
         to the Effective Date of the Merger. Each unexercised option or other
         right to purchase Russell Alabama Common Stock granted under and by
         virtue of any such Equity Plan which is outstanding immediately prior
         to the Effective Date of the Merger shall, upon the Effective Date of
         the Merger, become an option or right to purchase Russell Delaware
         Common Stock on the basis of one share of Russell Delaware Common Stock
         for each share of Russell Alabama Common Stock issuable pursuant to any
         such option or stock purchase right, and otherwise on the same terms
         and conditions and at an exercise or conversion price per share equal
         to the exercise or conversion price per share applicable to any such
         Russell Alabama option or stock purchase right. Upon the Effective Date
         of the Merger, each warrant to purchase Russell Alabama Common Stock
         which is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date of the
         Merger shall, upon the Effective Date of the Merger, become a warrant
         to purchase Russell Delaware Common Stock on the basis of one share of
         Russell Delaware Common Stock for each share of Russell Alabama Common
         Stock issuable immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger
         pursuant to any such warrant, and otherwise on the same terms and
         conditions and at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise
         price per share applicable to any such Russell Alabama warrant
         immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger. Each other
         equity-based award relating to Russell Alabama Common Stock granted or
         awarded under any of the Equity Plans which is outstanding immediately
         prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall, upon the Effective
         Date of the Merger, become an award relating to Russell Delaware Common
         Stock on the basis of one share of Russell Delaware Common Stock for
         each share of Russell Alabama Common Stock to which such award relates
         and otherwise on the same terms and conditions applicable to such award
         immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger.

                  (b) On or as soon as practicable following the Effective Date
         of the Merger, Russell Delaware shall file with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission one or more registration statements on an
         appropriate form or one or more post-effective amendments to previously
         filed registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933, as
         amended, with respect to the shares of Russell Delaware Common Stock
         which, upon the Effective Date of the Merger, will become subject to
         outstanding stock options and other equity-based awards under the
         Equity Plans, and shall use its best efforts to comply with any
         applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws, for as long as such
         options or other equity-based awards remain outstanding.

         3.5 Russell Delaware Common Stock. Upon the Effective Date of the
Merger, each share of Russell Delaware Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
by the Constituent Corporations, the holder of such shares or any other person,
be cancelled without compensation therefor and returned to the status of
authorized but unissued shares.

         3.6 Exchange of Certificates.

                  (a) After the Effective Date of the Merger, each holder of an
         outstanding certificate representing Russell Alabama Common Stock
         (excluding holders of certificates who perfect their appraisal as
         provided in Section 3.2 of this Agreement) may, at such cancellation to
         such entity as the Surviving Corporation so designates as exchange
         agent (the "Exchange Agent"), and each such holder shall be entitled to
         receive in exchange therefor a certificate or certificates representing
         the Merger Consideration. Until so surrendered, each outstanding
         certificate theretofore representing Russell Alabama Common Stock shall
         be deemed for all purposes to represent the Merger Consideration and
         the associated Rights.

                  (b) The registered owners of Russell Alabama Common Stock on
         the books and records of Russell Alabama immediately prior to the
         Effective Date of the Merger (excluding registered owners who perfect


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         their dissenters' rights of appraisal as provided in owners of Russell
         Delaware Common Stock on the books and records of Russell Delaware
         immediately after the Effective Time of the Merger, and the holders of
         shares of Russell Alabama Common Stock, until such certificates shall
         have been surrendered for transfer or conversion or otherwise accounted
         for by the Surviving Corporation, shall be entitled to exercise any
         voting and other rights with respect to, and receive dividends and
         other distributions upon, the shares of Russell Delaware Common Stock
         that the holders of Russell Alabama Common Stock would be entitled to
         receive pursuant to the Merger.

                  (c) Each certificate representing Russell Delaware Common
         Stock so issued in the Merger shall bear the same legends, if any, with
         respect to the restrictions on transfer that appeared on the
         certificates representing Russell Alabama Common Stock so converted and
         given in exchange therefor, unless otherwise determined by the Board of
         Directors of the Surviving Corporation in compliance with applicable
         laws.

                  (d) If any certificate representing shares of Russell Delaware
         Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than the name in which the
         certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, the
         following conditions must be satisfied before the issuance thereof: (i)
         the certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise
         in proper form for transfer; (ii) such transfer shall otherwise be
         proper; and (iii) the person requesting such transfer shall pay to the
         Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes payable by reason of
         issuance of such new certificate in a name other than the name of the
         registered holder of the certificate surrendered or shall establish to
         the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such tax has been
         paid or is not payable.

                               ARTICLE IV GENERAL
                                   PROVISIONS

         4.1 Covenants of Russell Alabama. Russell Alabama covenants and agrees
that it will on or before the Effective Date of the Merger take all such other
actions as may be required by the Delaware General Corporation Law and the
Alabama Business Corporation Act to effect the Merger.

         4.2 Covenants of Russell Delaware. Russell Delaware covenants and
agrees that it will on or before the Effective Date of the Merger:

                  (a) take such action as may be required to qualify to do
         business as a foreign corporation in the states in which Russell
         Alabama is qualified to do business immediately before the Effective
         Date of the Merger and in connection therewith irrevocably appoint an
         agent for service of process as required under the applicable
         provisions of the relevant state laws;

                  (b) take all such other actions as may be required by the
         Delaware General Corporation Law and the Alabama Business Corporation
         Act to effect the Merger.

         4.3 Conditions to the Obligations of the Constituent Corporations to
Effect the Merger. The respective obligation of each Constituent Corporation to
effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the
Effective Date of the Merger of the following conditions:

                  (a) The Agreement shall have been approved by two thirds of
         the outstanding shares of Russell Alabama Common Stock entitled to vote
         on the Agreement, and the Agreement shall have been adopted by the
         affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Russell
         Delaware Common Stock entitled to vote on the Agreement.

                  (b) No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
         ruling, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or
         permanent) shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by
         any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which
         prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation of the
         Merger; provided, however that the Constituent Corporations shall use
         their reasonable best efforts to cause any such decree, ruling,
         injunction or other order to be vacated or lifted.


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                  (c) The shares of Russell Delaware Common Stock issuable
         pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for listing on the
         New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Exchange, subject to official
         notice of issuance.

         4.4 Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when required by
Russell Delaware, Russell Alabama shall execute and deliver or shall cause to be
executed and delivered such deeds and other instruments, and Russell Alabama
shall take or cause to be taken any actions as shall be appropriate or
necessary, (a) to vest or perfect in Russell Delaware or confirm that Russell
Delaware shall have record ownership of or otherwise own the title to and
possession of all the property, interests, assets, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers, franchises and authority of Russell Alabama on the Effective
Date of the Merger or shortly thereafter and (b) to carry out the purposes of or
to effectuate this Agreement by the Effective Date of the Merger or shortly
thereafter, unless a specific deadline is established by this Agreement.

         4.5 Abandonment. At any time before the Effective Date of the Merger,
this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned for any reason
whatsoever by the Board of Directors of any Constituent Corporation,
notwithstanding the approval or adoption, as the case may be, of this Agreement
by the shareholders or stockholder, as the case may be, of any or both of the
Constituent Corporations.

         4.6 Registered Office. The registered office of the Surviving
Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite
400, and Corporation Services Company is the registered agent of the Surviving
Corporation at such address.

         4.7 Agreement. Executed copies of this Agreement will be on file at the
principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia,
and copies thereof will be furnished to any shareholder or stockholder, as the
case may be, of either Constituent Corporation, upon request and without cost.

         4.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware (without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws)
and, so far as applicable, the merger provisions of the Alabama Business
Corporation Act.

         4.9 Counterparts. In order to facilitate the filing and recording of
this Agreement, this Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Russell Alabama and Russell Delaware have caused
this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written by
their respective duly authorized officers.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
RUSSELL CORPORATION, an Alabama                                   RUSSELL CORPORATION,
corporation                                                       a Delaware corporation



By:               /s/ FLOYD G. HOFFMAN                            By:                  /s/ FLOYD G. HOFFMAN
   -------------------------------------------------                    -------------------------------------------------
NAME:               FLOYD G. HOFFMAN                              NAME:               FLOYD G. HOFFMAN TITLE:
TITLE: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT               TITLE:                     PRESIDENT
</TABLE>