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ethat001 · 01-21-2011, 01:45 AM

Let's dispel some of the myths here. On average - 80% of NFL players are nearly bankrupt within 2 years of leaving the league, their careers only last 3 years, and have a median salary of $790,000 per year. Only a few are like Peyton Manning/Tom Brady/Haynesworth.

First the facts:
- NFL Average salary: $2 million / year (nfl salaries)
- NFL Median salary: $790,000 (nfl median salaries)
- Career of an NFL player: avg 3 years (nfl career)
- Firefighter/Teacher - median $41,000 (salary firefighter or salary teacher)

So:
- teacher/firefighter $41,000 x 45 years (20yo->65yo) = $1.85 million, after 15% tax: $1.6 million
- NFL player: $790,000 x 3years = $2.4 million, after 35% tax: $1.6 million

My point is that although the NFL players make a lot of money per year, their career is OVER after they retire. They are thus compensated for a lifetime - and it is similar to what others make over a lifetime of work. So teachers are "millionaires" too - over their lifetime. Sure, NFL players can get other jobs after their NFL careers, and this means they will probably make more over a lifetime -- but it's still hard for them to support themselves & million dollar house going from the NFL to working at the grocery store. At least the firefighter or teacher gets the money over a lifetime, so they can more carefully invest it -- most NFL players are 20-something and waste much of the money & crippled by divorces.

In fact, most NFL players declare bankruptcy -- 78% of players are nearly bankrupt within 2 years (sports illustrated, or other reference).

Not to mention the fact the average lifespan of NFL players is only 55 years - they usually die young of heart disease ( espn - nfl lifespan, cbc nfl lifespan).

Second, even if they make a little more over a lifetime - they probably deserve it. In our society and capitalism, people are rewarded for what they do. It is MUCH MUCH harder to become an NFL player, and they are compensated as such. People (ie. all of us) are willing to pay to watch them - if we did not value what they did, we wouldn't pay $4000 a ticket to the Superbowl.

01-21-2011, 01:45 AM	#12
ethat001 Impact Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 920	Re: Rock out with your Lockout Let's dispel some of the myths here. On average - 80% of NFL players are nearly bankrupt within 2 years of leaving the league, their careers only last 3 years, and have a median salary of $790,000 per year. Only a few are like Peyton Manning/Tom Brady/Haynesworth. First the facts: - NFL Average salary: $2 million / year (nfl salaries) - NFL Median salary: $790,000 (nfl median salaries) - Career of an NFL player: avg 3 years (nfl career) - Firefighter/Teacher - median $41,000 (salary firefighter or salary teacher) So: - teacher/firefighter $41,000 x 45 years (20yo->65yo) = $1.85 million, after 15% tax: $1.6 million - NFL player: $790,000 x 3years = $2.4 million, after 35% tax: $1.6 million My point is that although the NFL players make a lot of money per year, their career is OVER after they retire. They are thus compensated for a lifetime - and it is similar to what others make over a lifetime of work. So teachers are "millionaires" too - over their lifetime. Sure, NFL players can get other jobs after their NFL careers, and this means they will probably make more over a lifetime -- but it's still hard for them to support themselves & million dollar house going from the NFL to working at the grocery store. At least the firefighter or teacher gets the money over a lifetime, so they can more carefully invest it -- most NFL players are 20-something and waste much of the money & crippled by divorces. In fact, most NFL players declare bankruptcy -- 78% of players are nearly bankrupt within 2 years (sports illustrated, or other reference). Not to mention the fact the average lifespan of NFL players is only 55 years - they usually die young of heart disease ( espn - nfl lifespan, cbc nfl lifespan). Second, even if they make a little more over a lifetime - they probably deserve it. In our society and capitalism, people are rewarded for what they do. It is MUCH MUCH harder to become an NFL player, and they are compensated as such. People (ie. all of us) are willing to pay to watch them - if we did not value what they did, we wouldn't pay $4000 a ticket to the Superbowl. Last edited by ethat001; 01-21-2011 at 07:19 AM.