American FootballNews
NFL LEGENDS – WHERE ARE THEY NOW
Every Sunday afternoon, for a period of the year, fans flock to their couches to watch NFL teams battle with one another. It’s easy to get lost in the shiny presentations and the in depth sports talk and end up forgetting that these are people playing the actual sport. Despite how many millions of dollars get thrown around, some NFL players still end up going broke right when they retire. Listed below are the former NFL stars who had it all and then not so much.
Raghib Ismail
When he was in his heyday Raghib Ismail was known as ‘The Rocket’. Ismail was a burner split out wide who made Troy Aikman’s life much easier. Ismael was a key, if underrated, part of several fantastic Dallas Cowboy teams and he racked up some serious money along the way — with nearly $18 million in career earnings. However, a slew of terrible investments has Ismail turning to signing NFL helmets to make back some of his money. Ismail may have some hope coming his way as he invested in a mouth guard company that focuses on concussion reducing impact.
Dan Marino
This legendary quarterback is surely one of the greatest to ever play the game. While Marino is definitively not broke he deserves a spot on this list for losing more money in a single swing than anyone else. Marino invested a staggering $14 million into an entertainment company named Digital Domain. Digital Domain was known for creating the first Tupac Shakur hologram at Coachella. The comany went belly up shortly after Marino invested, causing the QB to lose everything. Maybe that’s why Marino has been looking a little puffy on TV, maybe he should focus on some weight loss tips instead of his crushing loss.
Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp was a legendary lineman who earned over $80 million throughout his career. Sapp’s life has been less than easy since retiring from the NFL due to a variety of issues, some self inflicted. Sapp bought into some poor real estate, fell into trouble with child support and alimony, and eventually ran into issues with the law. Sapp’s $82 million is all but gone and if that hasn’t led the lineman to unintentionally help lose weight, nothing else will.
John Elway
Elway invested heavily in car dealerships and some other business and reached an estimated worth of $145 million. Phew. Sadly though, Elway fell victim to a Ponzi scheme in 2010. He had invested some $10 million and lost $7 million of it, according to ABC News.
Tiki Barber
You’re probably shocked to see Tiki make his way onto our list, but you won’t be after you learn what this former NFL pro has been up to. Barber earned almost $35 million in his professional career but that all seems to be circling the drain. Barber was transferred out of Football Night in America and onto the Today Show where he only served as a host for a short period of time. Barber would violate NBC’s morality clause, an odd inclusion in Barber’s contract, when the former NFL vet left his pregnant wife to hook up with an internet with the company. Barber is being forced to shell out major cash in divorce.
Andre Rison
The year was 1995 and the Cleveland Browns had their star wide out in their sights: Andre Rison. The team would shell out a startling $17 million to Andre Rison and receive precious little in return. Rison would be out of the league ina few years and he would immediately run into problems with the law. Rison’s biggest problem came in the form of unpaid child support. Needless to say the money is gone. If Rison had career insurance like car insurance, he might not be completely busted.
Dick Lane
We’re going slightly back in history here but keep up. Back in the 50s, Lane was a defensive end for the LA Rams and while he wasn’t that experienced out on the field, he was an army vet. Sadly, Land had problems with drinking and investing poorly, but he still ended up in the Hall of Fame.
Michael Vick
It’s hard to believe but at one point in time Michael Vick was the face of the NFL. As QB for the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was bringing an excitement to the NFL product that just hadn’t been seen in years. Vick’s career earnings had exceeded the $130 million mark when he was arrested and jailed for his role in an illegal dogfighting ring. Vick would lose almost everything and be forced to start from scratch.
Charlie Batch
Charlie Batch used to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and sadly, after retirement, he only had less than $3 million dollars worth of assets and a debt that was greater than $8 million in 2011. Batch worked with a few partners at some development company but the company defaulted on around 25 properties which caused Batch to hope that he could used the rest of $1.5 million dollar contract to settle any outstanding debts.
Luther Elliss
Luther Elliss played for 8 years in the NFL as a defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions. Over that period of time Elliss would make two Pro Bowls in order to help cushion his $11 million career earnings. Elliss wouldn’t make it five years out of the league before he would be filing for bankruptcy. Elliss lost his fortune by spending recklessly, investing in poor opportunities, and even, yes, donating too much of his money to charity.
Vince Young
Vince Young started off as an elite college quarterback who had it all. While Young had all the signs to make it far in the draft, he unraveled at the seems as quickly as he came. He has now filed for bankruptcy.
Mark Brunell
In today’s NFL even the most mediocre NFL arm could make a ton of money. Mark Brunell was more than a mediocre arm and he would end up getting paid over $50 million throughout his career. Brunell’s fortune went up in smoke after he retired thanks to the 2008 real estate bubble popping. Brunell had invested $11 million into a condo development but he lost it all and fell deeply in debt.
Travis Henry
As a running back, Henry was supposed to be a mega star. He entered the league in 2001 and ended up in his first Pro Bowl just a year later. But his career came to a screeching halt due to his various substance abuse issues. He was eventually suspended by the NFL and was also sentenced to three years behind bars for cocaine trafficking.
