Getting drafted is the first step in making NFL history. What follows is about hard work and taking chances. The better you are, the more opportunity to make life-changing money. Especially for professional athletes who reach the peak of their profession.
Unfortunately, most pro athletes go broke and many NFL stars experience financial ruin.
From Hall of Famers to perennial Pro Bowl studs, experiencing sudden wealth can be catastrophic at a young age. Between their own poor financial decisions, family pressures, and bad actors around them, NFL history is full of players that went broke and lost everything.
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NFL History: How many NFL players go broke?
Many assume that making it to the big leagues practically guarantees a player will live a comfortable life for the rest of their days, making tens of millions each year. In reality, few athletes see that level of wealth, and many of the few that do experience it for a short time.
The average NFL career lasts less than four seasons, per Statista. Meanwhile, per The Los Angeles Times, the average NFL salary was $2.7 million in 2017 and that is inflated by the high-end players.
Sports Illustrated estimated in 2009 that 78% of NFL players go broke within two years after their career ends. As athletes have described, young people enter professional sports without little guidance on managing their money. As a result, countless athletes spend recklessly, give away countless sums to close family members, and are led to make poor investments.
Players who only last a few years in the league aren’t the only ones who fall into bankruptcy. In fact, many stars and even Hall of Famers have gone from being part of NFL history as the highest-paid players to being broke in a matter of years.
15. Warren Sapp – Defensive Tackle
The No. 12 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, Sapp achieved success almost instantly upon stepping foot in the NFL. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection (1997-’03) and a member of the NFL’s All-Decades Team for the 1990s, Sapp tore through opponents during a 13-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.
Even though Sapp earned millions of dollars in the NFL, he would retire with a $6.7 million debt to his name. This was in part due to Sapp living an extravagant lifestyle where he blew money on items such as a $6,000 watch, a $1,200 rug made of lion skin, and a numerous amount of Jordan sneakers. Sapp was briefly an NFL Network analyst before being fired in 2015, and now makes occasional on-screen appearances.
14. Andre Rison – Wide Receiver
Chosen in the 1989 first round of the NFL draft, Andre Rison played for sixteen years and eight professional teams, including one that was in the Canadian Football League. Being on several teams means lots of money made, but that didn’t mean much to Rison as he squandered most of the earnings, which was around $20 million.
After retiring in 2005, Rison was forced to declare bankruptcy in 2007 due to overdue child support payments. This was only the breaking point of Rison’s money, since most of it (roughly $19 million) was washed away through indulgent spending and trying to have the “newest” cars and houses. He has since coached for high school teams, including head coach and offensive coordinator positions.
13. Vince Young – Quarterback
When Young broke the USC Trojans’ heart in the 2006 Rose Bowl and was later selected by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 3 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, many thought he’d make NFL history. Instead, he became one of the biggest NFL draft busts of all time and financial ruin soon followed.
Young signed a $25.74 million contract before taking the field and earned more than $40 million, including endorsements, throughout his short career. As he detailed to Sports Illustrated, though, he filed for bankruptcy in ’14. He tried to salvage his career, but the damage was already done with less than $1 million in assets and even further in debt. Between his own poor spending habits and a shady adviser, Young’s money is now gone.
12. Raghib (Rocket) Ismail – Wide Receiver
A huge controversy broke out with Raghib Ismail before he even played for the NFL, as he was going to be the first overall pick in 1991 for the Dallas Cowboys, but instead he signed with the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was later chosen in the fourth round by the Raiders, in case he decided to return to the NFL, which he did around two years later.
Playing for a total of twelve years, Ismail was part of three NFL and one CFL team, and recorded two 1,000 yard seasons in the NFL with total earnings around $20 million. It didn’t take long though for Ismail to start chipping away at his earnings, losing at least $4 million due to familiar traps like blind investments, but he fortunately never had to declare bankruptcy. Ismail now is an inspirational speaker that talks at schools, corporations, and churches.
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11. Bernie Kosar – Quarterback
A first-round pick in the 1985 Supplemental Draft, Kosar became a part of Cleveland Browns NFL history. Meanwhile, he got to live out his dream by playing near his family in Ohio and became one of the richest players in his era. Unfortunately, as many professional athletes have learned, friends and family members will take advantage of their wealth.
Between multiple investments that backfired, his father swindling millions from him and personal debts, it all backfired. When he filed for bankruptcy in 2009, he owed millions to his ex-wife, multiple banks and former teammates, Kosar was down nearly $20 million.
10. Dermontti Dawson – Center and Long Snapper
Playing for exclusively the Steelers from 1988-2000, Dermontti Dawson was selected by the team in the second round of the 1988 draft. In 2012, this center and long snapper made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and during his career was named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1992-1998. Dawson’s total earnings are not clear, but he did at one point earn as much as $4.2 million a year while playing.
Unfortunately this didn’t help Dawson at all, as he had to file for bankruptcy protection in 2010, with total losses ranging around $70 million. He is one of our highest spenders on this list, and is now a sales executive for a promotional products company, a long ways away from the NFL.
9. Clinton Portis – Running Back
Just two decades ago, Portis was one of the top running backs, making NFL history and carrying Washington’s offense every Sunday. He became the highest-paid back in 2004 with a $50.5 million deal. Years of prolific spending on luxury items and more than $400,000 in domestic support put Portis on the brink of financial ruin. Yet, it was financial managers who nearly drove him to commit murder.
Portis shared with Sports Illustrated how a few of his financial advisors defrauded him out of millions. Fortunately, he backed away from taking revenge. Sadly, the 38-year-old is now facing charges of health care fraud along with several other former NFL players for fraudulent use of the NFL’s Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Plan.
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8. Chris McAlister – Cornerback
One of the most startling stories about an NFL player going broke is with Chris McAlister. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft (10th overall), there were big dreams for the rookie cornerback. In his career McAlister only played for two teams — the Ravens, and the New Orleans Saints. Some of the many accolades he achieved were two Super Bowl wins, three Pro Bowls, and being named All Pro.
After eleven years in the NFL, McAlister made nearly $60 million, but lost nearly all of it. The reason why is not completely clear, but between extravagant spending and unwise betting or investments, McAlister really lost it all. Two years after retiring, McAlister was unemployed and forced to move back in with his parents, and struggling to pay large sums for child support. It just goes to show how quickly all that money can disappear.
7. Michael Vick – Quarterback
At the peak of his NFL career, there were few athletes more beloved or popular than Vick. He was one of the highest-paid athletes in sports after signing a $130 million contract in 2004. Then, everything fell apart when he was arrested for his role in a dogfighting ring.
Vick filed for bankruptcy while in Leavenworth, revealing that he owed tens of millions of dollars in debt. Making it out of that financial hold seemed impossible. Especially with no shot at endorsement money and only a small NFL contract. Yet, he pulled off what many believed would be impossible. Vick reimbursed his creditors in 2017 and now works for FOX Sports. He is also making an impact through various charities and volunteer work.
6. Deuce McAllister – Running Back
Deuce McAllister, not to be confused with Chris McAlister, also appears on NFL History’s top players that went broke after playing. McAllister was a first round draft pick by the Saints in 2001, and played for a total of eight years, all with the Saints. Selected for two Pro Bowls, the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, and winning a Super Bowl ring, this running back had a lot going for him. Over those eight years playing, McAllister earned around $70 million, but lost at least $7 million to various ploys. His current net worth is $150,000.
McAllister now is a Saints analyst for the New Orleans’ Fox affiliates WVUE-TV, is a speaker on the WWL Radio, and owns and operates the Ole Saint restaurant/sports bar in two locations. Not too bad for someone who lost millions of dollars after retiring.
5. Mark Brunell – Quarterback
Former NFL quarterback Mark Brunell enjoyed a successful NFL career and it all began as a fifth-round pick. Selected with the 118th overall pick in the NFL Draft, Brunell went on to became a three-time Pro Bowl selection who won Super Bowl XLIV and posted some impressive stats with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders and others, having a career earnings of $50 million.
However, a bankruptcy finding revealed in 2010 that Brunell had nearly $27 million in liabilities. In the filings, he stated that he and his wife had a combined take-home income each month of $8,780, with monthly expenditures of $24,879.
Brunell, along with former teammates, faced multiple lawsuits against their company Champions LLC. It failed to make repayments of a $2.2 million loan, in addition to an unpaid $1.1 million loan with Select Bank in Michigan. Brunell lost more than $50 million because of failed investments in multiple companies, including Whataburger, which burned through his savings and left him severely in debt.
Years later, Brunell is starting to turn things around. After serving as the head coach for the Episcopal School of Jacksonville (2013-’20), Brunell now serves as the Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach.
4. Johnny Unitas – Quarterback
One of the best quarterbacks of all time, did you know that Johnny Unitas was let go pretty quickly after he was drafted? Picked 102nd overall in the ninth round of the 1955 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he didn’t stay long as there were four quarterbacks fighting for three spots, and Unitas drew the short stick. Fortunately though, the Baltimore Colts picked up Unitas and he went on to play eighteen years on both the Colts and the San Diego Chargers’ teams.
With accolades such as Super Bowl Champion, three-time NFL Champion, and ten-time Pro Bowl selection, there wasn’t much Unitas couldn’t do on the field. Off the field though is another story, as Unitas lost more than $5.3 million due to several investments in failed businesses. Though he passed in 2002, Unitas used his retirement to be a broadcaster, and raise his family.
3. Luther Elliss – Defensive Tackle
Another player that managed to get himself into a better financial position after blundering in retirement is defensive tackle Luther Elliss. Being chosen in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, Elliss also played for the Denver Broncos in his ten year career and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
Though the numbers are not completely clear on how much Elliss made while in the NFL, it is known that in the second half of his career he pulled in $11.6 million. Unfortunately for Elliss, at least $4.4 million was lost due to fraudulent spending and investing in non-reliable companies. Elliss has made up for his mistakes though, and is now the defensive tackle coach for the Utah Utes football team.
2. Terrell Owens – Wide Receiver
Known for his rather controversial touchdown celebrations, Terrell Owens is next up on our list, and probably on of the biggest losers in terms of money after his NFL career ended. Getting picked in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft by the 49ers, Owens went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Seattle Seahawks.
Over the fourteen years that Owens played he received six Pro Bowl selections, and an accumulated wealth of just shy of $80 million. But nearly all of his fortune disappeared when Owens lost $80 million due to overspending and poor investments. Owens now bounces around different football leagues including the Canadian Football League and the Fan Controlled Football League.
1. Dan Marino – Quarterback
Though Dan Marino did not lose the most money on this list, his name is the most surprising to see on the list for me. Selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, Marino played for sixteen years with the team before retiring. Known as one of the better quarterbacks of all time, Marino has earned the George Halas Award, the 1984 NFL MVP award, and nine Pro Bowl selections.
Over his career, Marino earned around $54.51 million, but lost $13.6 due to investing in a company that ended up going broke. Even though Marino lost some of his earnings, he did not let that break him down, as he now serves as a special advisor for the Miami Dolphins. He even joins quarterback meetings regularly to talk with the current players (Tagovailoa, White, etc.) about how to be a better quarterback.
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Though NFL players can earn a lot of money through their contracts in just a few years, often the craze of showing off and making questionable investments leads NFL players to bankruptcy. Some of those players have been able to turn their lives around, as seen above, but others are still struggling to dig their way out of millions of dollars in debt. In NFL history, there have been a lot of bankrupt players, and those highlighted above are just a few.