A Football Players Life

Soon we will be hearing about rookies getting $10 million, $20 million, $40 million dollar signing bonuses or guaranteed money.  I know I will hear about high paid spoiled players and how they aren’t worth it.  I know I am going to hear this. 

For me, with few exceptions, a football player is someone I never regret hearing about being paid. Coaches yes, players, no.  I can’t think of a worse occupation than professional football. Not for the time they play, for the time after the game and they are left on their own. 

Let me real honest. Most football players did not excel in academics, nor were they ever encouraged to. College athletics are two opposite meaning words. These kids, then adults tend to be used for entertainment purposes their entire life. Little is asked other than victory on the field.

After the game is over for them , 65% of them will have a permanent injury. Within one year of leaving the game, one out of four will face financial hardships. Within one year, 50% of them will become divorced. Within two years, 78% of them will be unemployed, bankrupt, or divorced.

Some friends of mine played golf with James Harris one time.  Shack said the problem isn’t always with the player, it is with the posse and extended family. The money seems endless and so do the number of people along for the ride. In the end, the player can be picked clean.

Well that is their problem, you think. If they could manage their money better, they wouldn’t have that problem. OK, some truth, but they were not raised to think that way and when it is time learn new skills of money management, it may be too late. They have broken bodies, broken marriages and broken bank accounts. Bernie Kosar, a Cleveland legend, just declared bankruptcy. Nothing but pain to remind him of his glory years.

Most NFL players are not playing for a million dollars. Most are in the half a million dollar range. After agent fees and taxes and living, they have to be very wise and very disciplined to parlay that money they make in five years into a lifetime nest egg. It doesn’t happen often and they have no skills to earn much money after football. I am not saying I am glad they get paid and can waste their life. I am saying football is a hard road to take and it may be many of these guys best opportunity to create something good for themselves. 

I make no apology for admiring Tony Dungy. He gave this speech to his players every year:

Guys, please keep in mind: football is a temporary job. We are going to do everything we can to win, but we are not going to ruin the rest of our lives over football.

He then proceeded to outline behavoir such as alcohol and drug use, that will certainly lead to a ruined life. Tony cared about the man before he cared about the player. The NFL is following Tony’s lead in helping these guys to understand what exactly their situation is. One injury and the paychecks can stop.

Montel Owens may be the smartest of the Jaguars. He has been working on his graduate degree and working on life after football. When you hear Jack speak of Montel, hear the respect in his voice. Montel knows the truth.

Soon the Jaguars money will be flowing. God bless all of them who take the field for our entertainment. God be with them forever. Guys, use your opportunity wisely. Stay healthy, marry well and be happy. I am rooting for you your entire life, not just on Sunday.

- Terry O’Brien