1982 salary article (1 Viewer)

[Bri]

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...752C0A964948260

An annual survey conducted by the National Football League shows that the average salary of an N.F.L. player last season was $90,102, with quarterbacks averaging the highest, $160,037.

In 1980, the average player's salary was $78,657, 14.5 percent under the 1981 figure.

The survey, conducted for the fifth straight year, shows average salaries for eight positions: quarterback, running back, receiver, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back and kicker.

Next in average salary were running backs, $94,948; defensive linemen, $92,996; receivers, $85,873; offensive linemen, $85,543; linebackers, $85,205; defensive backs, $79,581, and kickers, $65,779.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

In 1980, the average player's salary was $78,657, 14.5 percent under the 1981 figure.

My former boss started for the Chargers in 1981 and earned about $35K. He was the lowest paid starting OL in the league, and seriously considered not playing in the NFL even though he was drafted, because he thought the money would be better elsewhere. (And actually he was right. He's made a lot more since leaving the NFL.)

 

[redman]

In 1980, the average player's salary was $78,657, 14.5 percent under the 1981 figure.

My former boss started for the Chargers in 1981 and earned about $35K. He was the lowest paid starting OL in the league, and seriously considered not playing in the NFL even though he was drafted, because he thought the money would be better elsewhere. (And actually he was right. He's made a lot more since leaving the NFL.)

Back then they used to quote the amount of money the Super Bowl winners and losers got - around $35k and $15k IIRC - as if it was an impressive amount of money for these guys, which it was, remember? Today there are linemen who get that much money in salary (forget about bonus) for every half of regular season football that they play.

 

[redman]

In 1980, the average player's salary was $78,657, 14.5 percent under the 1981 figure.

My former boss started for the Chargers in 1981 and earned about $35K. He was the lowest paid starting OL in the league, and seriously considered not playing in the NFL even though he was drafted, because he thought the money would be better elsewhere. (And actually he was right. He's made a lot more since leaving the NFL.)

It's an awfully violent game to play to only be paid that small an amount of money. Let's not forget the effects of inflation, though. Starting salaries for first-year attorneys in large law firms around that time generally fell into the $25k-$35k range. Now, they're generally in the $80k-$120k range.

 

[The Royal Jack]

My 7th grade math teacher played briefly for the Eagles (early 70's) and basically he said he had to get a real job.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Does this mean we need a minimum wage increase in the NFL?

What were ticket prices, hot dogs, beers, and parking going for in 1982? The fan is the one that has to shell out more even though the NFL owners make so much more now than they ever did. Salaries in the NFL are so far ahead of regular people in the world now...they shouldn't increase salaries for the next 10 years...of course they will, but still...

 

[The Royal Jack]

Does anyone know if a database exists that lists all individuals who have ever played in the NFL? I know that baseball is well documented down to the at bat since at last say 1920 but there seems to be no such record for the NFL.

This got me to thinking that I have met at least 2 people here in town who claim to have played pro football, but there is no way to verify this.

 

[inca911]

Does anyone know if a database exists that lists all individuals who have ever played in the NFL? I know that baseball is well documented down to the at bat since at last say 1920 but there seems to be no such record for the NFL.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/

 

[GoFishTN]

Interesting how competition has an effect. From this ESPN article on USFL:

The NFL's average salary in 1983 was $152,800. A year later, after the USFL began paying fat salaries and creating a bidding war with the NFL, the average salary was $225,600, an increase of 47.6 percent -- the largest jump in the league's history.

As for finding players, pro-football-reference is great, but databasefootball has a more complete list.