Hypothetical Question - Swapping Places With An NFL Player... (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

Hypothetical question here.

You have the option of magically becoming an average NFL player. Not Drew Brees, but not a practice squad guy. A guy that is a middle of the road average NFL player.

Assume the labor situation as far as medical coverage and benefits like that stay the same (aside from the minimum salary thing)

You won't be a star, but you'll start quite a few games and make a handful of significant plays over the years. No pro bowls. But you're not on the practice squad. You're just pretty much an average NFL player on the 53 man roster.

You get all the perks that come with being a professional football player.

Once you're out of the league, you can use any connections you made during your time or parlay any good you've done to start your next career.

It has this stipulation: You will be paid $500,000 per season and you will stay in the league for 5 years.

Would you do it?

J

 

[roadkill1292]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

 

[TommyGilmore]

I think a better question is "Why wouldn't you do this?" Because it seems like a no-brainer to me. Not only is $2.5 million WAY more than the average person will earn in his lifetime (even at a higher tax rate), but the injury risk for 5 years of football is probably not much worse than the injury risk for 25 years of ditch digging.

And it's not like you'd be prevented from going into a different field of work once you got out of football.

I just don't see any downsides here.

 

[Joe Bryant]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

True. But are you saying that every 5 year vet is crippled or mentally handicapped from playing?J

 

[killrobotkill]

Interesting. Can I pick which team I play for?

 

[roadkill1292]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

True. But are you saying that every 5 year vet is crippled or mentally handicapped from playing?J

Certainly not but the risks are too great to ignore.

 

[PatrickT]

I couldn't possibly sign my name on that contract fast enough.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Interesting. Can I pick which team I play for?

No. Assume it's an average NFL team and that over the course of your career, you'll win half your games.J

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

There are a lot of career opportunities that could open up for you if you are 5 year NFL vet. That is enough of a name to be able to cash in on at least a bit after retiring.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Certainly not but the risks are too great to ignore.

I think you are inflating the risks based on players who player who A) played for more than 5 years, and/or B) were full-time starters.Joe's question describes a journeyman player who only makes a "handful" of significant plays over a 5-year stretch. The injury risks for that type of player are significantly lower than the risks for a full-time starter.

 

[Joe Bryant]

There are a lot of career opportunities that could open up for you if you are 5 year NFL vet. That is enough of a name to be able to cash in on at least a bit after retiring.

Absolutely. I'd say a 5 year vet would have much more than a little bit to cash in on. Be it selling insurance or medical equipment or a host of other things where a "NFL Player" on your resume adds to it.For a great many jobs that deal with the public, that's a nice add.J

 

[Holy Schneikes]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

People play the same violent sport for free at college for four years all the time.I don't think 5 years will necessarily do irreversible harm. It certainly could, but I don't think the odds are that scary. Kind of depends on your position a bit too. I wouldn't be one of the guys rushing to get back after a concussion, that's for sure. But these days, coaches/teams/trainers are WAY more aware of that situation and I don't think they push like they used to.If it's a knee - as sick as it may sound, I could live with the risk of being moderately gimpy for the rest of life if it came to that. Hell, my knees are pretty wracked out now just from a lot of recreational sports. I've known several guys who have blown their knees playing flag football (and are back at it after they recover).The mental stuff (and/or paralysis possibility, small chance that it is) would scare me, the other stuff I could live with. If I can fool around with my kids, that's good enough for me at 40 or 50. And after that, folks are a hot mess anyway, so what's a couple of extra twinges.

 

[Wet Doggg]

I would...but can I be the placekicker or punter . 2.5 mil is a decent amount of money, but think that after the 5 years you would have quite a few other opportunities to make a decent living as well.

 

[killrobotkill]

Interesting. Can I pick which team I play for?

No. Assume it's an average NFL team and that over the course of your career, you'll win half your games.J

Hmm. I'll just have to pray that it's not the Redskins, Giants, or Eagles then. But seriously, playing in the NFL for five years means taking five years away from my current career, which I love. Even if playing doesn't make me stoopid, odds are good I'll have nagging injuries to deal with after I retire. There's also the travel for the road games, team sponsored events, etc. that pull me away from my family. But it's a good chunk of cheddar and should be a lot of fun, and getting free meals at my home city's restaurants would be awesome. If my family was OK with it, I'd probably say yes.

 

[3nOut]

If it means my wife and kids are better off because of it, then yes, absolutely. Want me to carry everyone's pads off the field too on top of it? Sure, no questions asked. Water anyone? Can I get you some more Gatorade?

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

There are a lot of career opportunities that could open up for you if you are 5 year NFL vet. That is enough of a name to be able to cash in on at least a bit after retiring.

Absolutely. I'd say a 5 year vet would have much more than a little bit to cash in on. Be it selling insurance or medical equipment or a host of other things where a "NFL Player" on your resume adds to it.For a great many jobs that deal with the public, that's a nice add.J

I some a former NFL player who was not to the level described here who has a very good job in medical sales.

 

[dutch]

If the current economics of the game are still in place for this hypo then no friggin way would I sign that contract. If i'm good enough to be a journeyman as it is then there is no reason for me to leave substantial cash in the owners pockets while I toil in the field. It's a dumb emotional decision to give any team a discount for the "priviledge" of working my a@@ off to better their franchise. Give me what I'm worht based on the current market, not a penny more and not a penny less, give or take.

 

[Joe Bryant]

If the current economics of the game are still in place for this hypo then no friggin way would I sign that contract. If i'm good enough to be a journeyman as it is then there is no reason for me to leave substantial cash in the owners pockets while I toil in the field. It's a dumb emotional decision to give any team a discount for the "priviledge" of working my a@@ off to better their franchise. Give me what I'm worht based on the current market, not a penny more and not a penny less, give or take.

In this example, $500k per season is what you're worth.You have to decide whether that's an offer you want to accept. This question is about you and you only. The owners might be keeping 90% of the profit. They might be keeping 10% of the profit. The question is would you accept the offer for 500k per year.J

 

[Joe Bryant]

There are a lot of career opportunities that could open up for you if you are 5 year NFL vet. That is enough of a name to be able to cash in on at least a bit after retiring.

Absolutely. I'd say a 5 year vet would have much more than a little bit to cash in on. Be it selling insurance or medical equipment or a host of other things where a "NFL Player" on your resume adds to it.For a great many jobs that deal with the public, that's a nice add.J

I some a former NFL player who was not to the level described here who has a very good job in medical sales.

Yes, I see that a lot in Knoxville with former Tennessee Football players. Good players that couldn't sniff the NFL are able to turn a good college career into a good "regular" career that is absolutely aided by what they did on Saturdays.J

 

[nysportsfan]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

True. But are you saying that every 5 year vet is crippled or mentally handicapped from playing?J

Yes. Chris Henry's brain was showing signs of real damage and he was not a long time vet and simply a WR. So when you say "no brainer" it's right on the money.

 

[Avery]

There's a certain injury risk, but other than that, I just don't see the downside.

Five years of your life. Make some great money. Make some great connections to get a great job.

Once your done, you can go to graduate school if you like, or with some smart investments, never work a 9 to 5 job.

It's like military service with much higher pay and a much lower risk. A few years and return to a normal life.

I think a slightly more difficult question is would you do it and make the same money you make at your regular job. Or would you do it for 5 years at minimum wage for the experience and the hope of leveraging your connections and minor celebrity into a more lucrative post NFL-career career.

Edit to add: Before anyone gets offended, I'm not comparing our brave men and women in the military to anything that happens on a football field, despite what Kellan Winslow II might say. Just comparing the time frame, money and risk factor.

 

[Joe Bryant]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

True. But are you saying that every 5 year vet is crippled or mentally handicapped from playing?

J

Yes. Chris Henry's brain was showing signs of real damage and he was not a long time vet and simply a WR. So when you say "no brainer" it's right on the money.

"every" player?J

 

[stuckinthemuck]

There are a lot of career opportunities that could open up for you if you are 5 year NFL vet. That is enough of a name to be able to cash in on at least a bit after retiring.

Absolutely. I'd say a 5 year vet would have much more than a little bit to cash in on. Be it selling insurance or medical equipment or a host of other things where a "NFL Player" on your resume adds to it.

For a great many jobs that deal with the public, that's a nice add.

J

I some a former NFL player who was not to the level described here who has a very good job in medical sales.

Yes, I see that a lot in Knoxville with former Tennessee Football players. Good players that couldn't sniff the NFL are able to turn a good college career into a good "regular" career that is absolutely aided by what they did on Saturdays.

J

Does anyone remember Jermaine Lewis? He was the former burner WR for the Championship 2001 Ravens and, while playing, took advantage of his fame by helping his family. His father was my stock broker for two years. He gave me an autographed card of his son and dropped his name every time we met. Subtract the Super Bowl win and Lewis is the kind of player you're describing: adoring fans in the local area give you brand name recognition for the rest of your life and it's easily parlayed into a career in finance or sales afterward. In other words, your five years of fame can yield a very happy and satisfied life following your football days. It's well worth the risk.

 

[bushdocda]

Most no brainer question ever to me.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

not to mention the incredible amount of work needed to stay in prepare, workout and stay in shape at the nfl level.

 

[dutch]

Does anyone remember Jermaine Lewis? He was the former burner WR for the Championship 2001 Ravens and, while playing, took advantage of his fame by helping his family. His father was my stock broker for two years. He gave me an autographed card of his son and dropped his name every time we met. Subtract the Super Bowl win and Lewis is the kind of player you're describing: adoring fans in the local area give you brand name recognition for the rest of your life and it's easily parlayed into a career in finance or sales afterward. In other words, your five years of fame can yield a very happy and satisfied life following your football days. It's well worth the risk.

except Lewis mademillions in his career and Joe wants you to accept a fraction of that to be basically the same level player Lewis was. I do see how thats a bargain for me.

 

[Chaka]

Since you say there is a 5 year max can I read that as a guarantee that you will not be injured during those 5 years (except perhaps in the last game. your 5 year career has to end for some reason)?

Is it possible that you lose a few years to an ACL or some such?

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

People play the same violent sport for free at college for four years all the time.I don't think 5 years will necessarily do irreversible harm. It certainly could, but I don't think the odds are that scary. Kind of depends on your position a bit too. I wouldn't be one of the guys rushing to get back after a concussion, that's for sure. But these days, coaches/teams/trainers are WAY more aware of that situation and I don't think they push like they used to.If it's a knee - as sick as it may sound, I could live with the risk of being moderately gimpy for the rest of life if it came to that. Hell, my knees are pretty wracked out now just from a lot of recreational sports. I've known several guys who have blown their knees playing flag football (and are back at it after they recover).The mental stuff (and/or paralysis possibility, small chance that it is) would scare me, the other stuff I could live with. If I can fool around with my kids, that's good enough for me at 40 or 50. And after that, folks are a hot mess anyway, so what's a couple of extra twinges.

NFL: Dodging The Concussion Discussion?Listen to the Story[3 min 54 sec]Add to PlaylistDownloadTranscript CorrectionFrank Deford misspoke when he said New York University is "authorized to do a definitive study" on early-onset dementia. NYU proposed the study to the National Football League, but it has not been officially approved. The Web text has been corrected.EnlargeiStockphoto.comHigh school football players will experience more than 40,000 concussions this season.text size A A A August 26, 2009Unlike baseball, basketball and ice hockey, football is strictly an all-American game. Oh, there are a few Samoans in the NFL, the odd Canadian, but unlike most popular American cultural components, football has never succeeded as an export. Either it's just our thing, like bullfighting in Spain, or other people are too smart to risk playing it.Luckily for the NFL, there's no dearth of homegrown candidates. As students head back to high school, some 1.2 million will suit up in helmets and shoulder pads.But an old NFL star who suffered a few concussions asks me: "How many mothers would let their boys play football if we knew what concussions could mean when these boys get older?"The fact is, we don't know for sure how dangerous our American game is to the brains of the people who play it. We do know that high school players will experience more than 40,000 concussions this season, and that boys experience greater acceleration to the head than do older players. We know that in a full season of games and practice, players endure more than 3,000 hits, and frequently these collisions are at 100 g of force, the equivalent of a car crash.Because so many former players have been found to suffer from dementia or depression, the NFL can no longer ignore the issue, but still, the league sounds more like the tobacco companies of a few decades ago. It dismissed a study by the University of North Carolina that used essentially the same methodology as smoking-and-cancer studies. In the study, 20 percent of retired players who had had three or more concussions said they suffered from depression.Basically, the NFL wants to be its own research institute, even though, bit by bit, the evidence grows that football simply is not good for the brain."Anyone who doesn't recognize the severity of the problem is in tremendous denial," says Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University's School of Medicine. McKee conducted a study on players suffering from repetitive head trauma.The NYU Medical School has proposed a definitive study on early-onset dementia. It wants to sample the brainwaves of 100 NFL rookies and 100 retired players. It asked Robert Batterman, the league's labor counsel, for help obtaining the rookie subjects needed. Batterman replied with a curt e-mail, saying only that NYU was talking to the wrong former players.In other words: Hey, what's the problem? Not everybody who plays football gets brain damage. Not everybody who smokes gets cancer. Alas, if NYU can't get the young players to study, it can't do the study.The old player I talked to says his wife stiffens every time he forgets something or can't remember a word. And, he says: "Frank, I never stop thinking that my mind's the next one to go."Commentator Frank Deford weighs in from member station WSHU in Fairfield, Conn.

i think once the studies are said and done on this people will see that the net effect on the brain of being an NFL player, is far worse than we could have ever imagined.And maybe it's that I am well educated, and have a decent job, but I'd rather not have the lifelong problems that many NFLers report after the fact.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

I would...but can I be the placekicker or punter . 2.5 mil is a decent amount of money, but think that after the 5 years you would have quite a few other opportunities to make a decent living as well.

Oh If i could be the kicker I'd do it. lol

 

[da_budman]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

True. But are you saying that every 5 year vet is crippled or mentally handicapped from playing?J

I'm already cripled so I am pre-disastered. Put me in coach I'm ready to play, TODAY!

 

[smackdaddies]

Financially - of course

But in real life - have to be no - I stayed out of football because i did not want the pain - and I don't mean from injury. Practice till you puke. Be willing to go out and slam yourself into other people and the ground thousands of times each year.

A mans got to know his limitations

 

[jdubs952]

Keep in mind the $500,000 you are making will be heavily taxed. But if you're going to gaurantee that you can parlay your NFL career as a long snapper or special teams player into a decent living afterwards, absolutely; however, is that truly realistic?

How about $500,000 per year, and when you're done, you're about as well off as any other unemployed person out there. You'll probably end up as a substitute teacher and an assistant coach at your HS alma mater making $20-30k / year ala kenny powers

 

[GregR_2]

Does anyone remember Jermaine Lewis? He was the former burner WR for the Championship 2001 Ravens and, while playing, took advantage of his fame by helping his family. His father was my stock broker for two years. He gave me an autographed card of his son and dropped his name every time we met. Subtract the Super Bowl win and Lewis is the kind of player you're describing: adoring fans in the local area give you brand name recognition for the rest of your life and it's easily parlayed into a career in finance or sales afterward. In other words, your five years of fame can yield a very happy and satisfied life following your football days. It's well worth the risk.

except Lewis mademillions in his career and Joe wants you to accept a fraction of that to be basically the same level player Lewis was. I do see how thats a bargain for me.

It's a bargain because you're not good enough to be Jermaine Lewis unless you accept the offer.

The offer comes down to:

You get: Physical ability, talent, opportunity and fame that you don't possess now.

You give up: Money that you wouldn't have made otherwise because you don't possess NFL player skills... and any additional wear and tear on your body.

You're basically saying that an offer to magically gift you with talent and skill you don't possess is not worth paying anything back in return.

 

[BassNBrew]

Most definately and I wouldn't even hold out of training camp.

 

[Christo]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

True. But are you saying that every 5 year vet is crippled or mentally handicapped from playing?J

Certainly not but the risks are too great to ignore.

You must be joking.

 

[Chaka]

I would...but can I be the placekicker or punter . 2.5 mil is a decent amount of money, but think that after the 5 years you would have quite a few other opportunities to make a decent living as well.

Oh If i could be the kicker I'd do it. lol

 

[Wu-banger]

I know a few guys who played in the NFL breifly..... and they benefited from it greatly finacially.

playing 5 years is a no brainer.

 

[Christo]

If the current economics of the game are still in place for this hypo then no friggin way would I sign that contract. If i'm good enough to be a journeyman as it is then there is no reason for me to leave substantial cash in the owners pockets while I toil in the field. It's a dumb emotional decision to give any team a discount for the "priviledge" of working my a@@ off to better their franchise. Give me what I'm worht based on the current market, not a penny more and not a penny less, give or take.

 

[az_prof]

Sign me up. But, the problem is, I can guarantee you won't pay a buck to see me play HB. You won't even watch me free.

And, how about this question: would you be willing to put your house down as collateral with the chance to make 10% of what current owners of NFL teams make? How would you like to be the person to hire your NFL team's coach? You will of course get to play in the NFL stadium of your city, bought and paid for by the local tax base.

Sign me up for both, but I tell you what: I KNOW I would do a better job as an owner of an NFL team than I could playing on the field. Not even close. What players do is unique and irreplacable; what most of the NFL owners do is pretty bad and easily replacable.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I wouldn't do it unless I was the placekicker where I limit the wear and tear on the body.

When you factor in agent percentages and taxes the 500K per year isn't something that's gonna set me up for life.

 

[ponchsox]

Are you talking an average joe playing pro football, or actually as a trained and conditioned athlete? If I signed that deal and performed at a high level, I may hold out for more money.

 

[shredhead]

There are a lot of career opportunities that could open up for you if you are 5 year NFL vet. That is enough of a name to be able to cash in on at least a bit after retiring.

Absolutely. I'd say a 5 year vet would have much more than a little bit to cash in on. Be it selling insurance or medical equipment or a host of other things where a "NFL Player" on your resume adds to it.

For a great many jobs that deal with the public, that's a nice add.

J

I some a former NFL player who was not to the level described here who has a very good job in medical sales.

As what, the "before" picture????

 

[BassNBrew]

Sign me up. But, the problem is, I can guarantee you won't pay a buck to see me play HB. You won't even watch me free.

And, how about this question: would you be willing to put your house down as collateral with the chance to make 10% of what current owners of NFL teams make? How would you like to be the person to hire your NFL team's coach? You will of course get to play in the NFL stadium of your city, bought and paid for by the local tax base.

Sign me up for both, but I tell you what: I KNOW I would do a better job as an owner of an NFL team than I could playing on the field. Not even close. What players do is unique and irreplacable; what most of the NFL owners do is pretty bad and easily replacable.

Write a check for 500 million to buy a franchise? How many of those guys are floating around out there?

 

[comfortably numb]

If you make this $50K/year I still think this would be a landslide.

 

[Warpig]

Hmmmm...would $500K a year still make you middle class or is that considered rich? It's pretty damn rich to me. Playing a sport that I would give my left (or right) testicle to play? No brainer for me.

 

[Wolfpacker]

What's my signing bonus?

 

[TommyGilmore]

I wouldn't do it unless I was the placekicker where I limit the wear and tear on the body.

When you factor in agent percentages and taxes the 500K per year isn't something that's gonna set me up for life.

Why would you need an agent? Joe has already set you up with a 5-year contract. After taxes, you're looking at having well over $1.3 million in the bank 5 years from now, even after you deduct your expenses over the next 5 years.That might not set you up for life, but it would be enough to allow a comfortable living to the average guy making $35K/year. And it's not like you'd be forced to be jobless after you retire. You'll get to have a job plus an extra $1800/month for life.

 

[bonesman]

I would...but can I be the placekicker or punter .

That's the only way I take the field w/ those monsters.

 

[bonesman]

That's not a lot of money in return for being crippled and/or stoopid at an early age.

True. But are you saying that every 5 year vet is crippled or mentally handicapped from playing?J

Certainly not but the risks are too great to ignore.

You must be joking.

what's the average career span of an NFL player? I'd guess for the majority of positions it's less than 5 years.... and that's mostly due to injury.

 

[sho nuff]

Can I be the long snapper or punter?

Minimize injury and collect my $500k per season.