The numbers are staggering and sad. Approximately 80% of all retired NFL players end up filing bankruptcy. Many players grow up poor, work hard, make it to the NFL and sign huge contracts worth millions. Then with little or just plain corrupt financial advice, they go into a world of wealth and fame with no idea as to how to deal with it. Although this list could gone on, here’s a list of 15 of the most notable.
Warren Sapp
Earned $82 million during his NFL Hall of Fame career. In 2012, Sapp filed for bankruptcy. Apparently $82 million isn’t enough for a man that pays more than $75,495 a month in child support for his six kids (with FIVE different baby mommas!).
Vince Young
Earned 34 million in his 6 year NFL career claims that bad financial advice is the blame for his fall from riches.
Travis Henry
Signed a 5-year contract for $22.5 million with the Broncos in 2007. He is now spending time in prison for drug trafficking.
Terrell Owens
Earned over $80 million in his career. Although Owens pays over $44,000 per month in child support, he claims that financial advisors are to blame for his losses and not his life choices.
Ray Rice
After being caught on tape beating his wife, he missed the entire 2014 season. Some say he may never play another down in the NFL. It’s real hard to feel sorry for this dude after seeing him punch his wife in the face knocking her out cold.
Travis Henry
Signed a 5-year contract for $22.5 million with the Broncos in 2007. He is now spending time in prison for drug trafficking.
Terrell Owens
Earned over $80 million in his career. Although Owens pays over $44,000 per month in child support, he claims that financial advisors are to blame for his losses and not his life choices.
Michael Vick
Vick signed the richest contract in NFL history in 2005 for a whopping $130 million and decided that dog fighting was the thing to do. His years in prison were not as fruitful as the pay was only .12 per hour.
Aaron Hernandez
After signing a contract extension worth $40 million, Aaron was convicted of killing a former friend in a drive by shooting anf sentenced to life in prison.
Chris McAlister
Apparently $45 million over his 11-year career was just enough to sustain him year after year. Chris filed for bankruptcy just one year after retiring.
Johnny Unites
After retiring and having a few business ventures fail, the beloved Johnny U filed bankruptcy.
Mark Ingram Sr.
The star of Super Bowl XXV and father of running back Mark Ingram Jr. was convicted of tax fraud and money laundering in 2008 served a 7-year stint in jail.
Mark Brunell
Earned over $50 million during his career. He not only blew his career earnings, but also accumulated an additional $25 million in debt on top of that.
Lawrence Taylor
One of the greats of all time filed for bankruptcy in 2009. Taylor had issues with alcohol, drugs, tax fraud and ladies of the night.
JaMarcus Russell
Some say he was the biggest bust in NFL history. After being picked #1 overall in the 2007 draft by the LA Raiders he signed a contract for $61 million. Russell played a total of 31 games in the NFL and retired, claiming the game was no longer fun for him. He filed for bankruptcy a few years later.
