How sad is this!!

[fred913]

I've just seen a stat that when NFL players retire seventy five per cent are either divorced or bankrupt within two years, this is a very sad stat when most people work hard all their life just to survive. Any ideas why this should be?

[KingDonKK]

Originally Posted by fred913

I've just seen a stat that when NFL players retire seventy five per cent are either divorced or bankrupt within two years, this is a very sad stat when most people work hard all their life just to survive. Any ideas why this should be?

Huge muscles small brains...

Four words that can sum it up pretty much.

[phattP]

Too much, too soon ?
There's so much money and glory to be won if you're good at the game, and people get rich at a very young age in sport.

Then they spend, spend, spend, and possibly make the mistake of thinking it will last forever.

Once it's gone, along with their fitness to play, there is a tendency to become depressed, maybe alcoholic or drug dependent, which is a sure route to divorce and family problems.

The smartest ones spend time investing their earnings in businesses which will outlast their playing careers.

[TheTexan]

Unfortunately I can give first hand witness to this disaster. Knew a gent who was a first class guy, before he got drafted into the NBA. Got a big contract and since he had to focus on his career and all the new toys and promotional stuff, he left his family and his manager in charge of the bank accounts (first mistake). He never had money so he had no one to teach him how to deal with money, he assumed his manager would arrange for him to be taken care of all his life with the millions he was making (second mistake). The last year of his career he was bankrupt, foreclosed on, had all his toys taken away by the government for not paying his taxes on time and his family, those he trusted and cared for, blamed it all on him.

Nice life, think I'll stay where I am thank you very much...

[fred913]

Going back many years the comedian W.C Fields was systematically robbed by his agent until he too was bankrupt. I think many soccer players in England have a similar problem, especially the ones who like the drink, the horses, and the young blondes. I think I agree with you Tex, much safer to live a normal life.

[bidlow]

It's living with the wife and giving her his bank account numbers . lol

[stepoff]

i think they are using a number game here fred. think about it, you rarely hear about a famous nfl player (any 1 that has a football jersey on fans backs) go bankrupt... divorced?? perhaps... i would say 25% of a football team is the starters. so the other 75% are your second string or third string, or even just the practice squad that make much less than the starters, and some at league minimum. (about $400,000 a year.)BUT those guys continue to try and live the life style that they had and THATS how i think the 75% go broke. i do have to agree with tex that agents play a HUGE part in this as well with some. also look at tom brady last week in his 30 million dollar new home.... what do you think it costs a year to up keep JUST that ?? good luck tom after you retire paying those bills just for that 1 thing.