If YOU had NFL-quality talent, but not enough to be a star.... (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

Was reading the talk about Cassel and where he ends up next year and it got me thinking. Which would YOU rather have. Let's assume you have the talent to make it to the NFL, but so far not enough to ever be considered good or a starter, at least according to scouts and coaches. But, let's assume there is one opportunity available. Would you rather be a backup to a stud QB like Brady, Romo, Brees that would only see the field in the event of an injury, will still make a good bit of money, and a shot at Super Bowl rings even if by no help from you or would you rather take that 1 shot to actually start on a not so good team, likely take a terrible beating (both by NFL players and the media because you suck) with the slight chance you actually play well and could hit it big. At the same time with the latter choice, there's a chance you lose that job and never get a backup job again.

So, what would YOU choose?

ETA---Think of it this way (to be more clear). You are Jim Sorgi. You were drafted in the 6th round. You've gotten to sit behind Peyton for a couple years, you've gotten paid about $1 million/year, and you've had minimal playing time aside from preseason. Now, it's time to renew your contract or go elsewhere. Do you:

1. Resign with Indy, sit behind Peyton, collect your paycheck and go on your merry way.

2. Take the job offered to you in SF or Detroit where you can compete for the starting job and have little competition for it and see if you can be the next Brady/Romo (i.e., be the next JTO)?

This is assuming also that you would be getting about the same money in both situations, but most likely would get a guaranteed contract as a backup if you sign for like 3 yrs vs. an incentive-laden contract that isn't going to pay much (same as the backup) unless you perform and they decide to keep you longterm. You risk getting benched if you don't do well (like JTO) and possibly not getting a job again.

Assume you are still relatively young (late 20's) but you aren't just starting out in the league either. That's kind of how I envisioned this and most seem to have answered with it relating to that somewhat.

 

[PatrickT]

Those who would choose option one wouldn't make many NFL rosters.

 

[gianmarco]

Those who would choose option one wouldn't make many NFL rosters.

In the real world, obviously. Play along, if you will. All things considered, who would you rather be? Jim Sorgi or JT O'Sullivan? I mean, if I'm not mistaken, Sorgi's contract just got renewed and I've NEVER heard of talk of him trying out elsewhere. The guy seems perfectly content to sit behind Peyton, collect his paycheck, and live a happy life when the ride is over. I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with that either. I'm just curious what "regular" people's preferences would be to a situation that none of us have a shot at.

 

[PatrickT]

Those who would choose option one wouldn't make many NFL rosters.

In the real world, obviously. Play along, if you will. All things considered, who would you rather be? Jim Sorgi or JT O'Sullivan?

I did, I voted. I'll be O'Sullivan every time. Except for the hair.

 

[Garts]

Isn't the whole idea of playing pro sports is to acually...you know...play?

 

[pgreenfan]

Do we really need another thread about Derek Anderson? I take my shot playing and hope for the best.

 

[gianmarco]

Isn't the whole idea of playing pro sports is to acually...you know...play?

For most, absolutely. Keep in mind there is also the chance of pretty serious injury and the chance of losing the job and not making any more money.While it's "fun to play", this isn't a recreational league. These guys take a serious beating week in and week out. Jim Sorgi is making almost $3 million over the next 3 yrs just to hold Peyton's clipboard. When you have a family, there's something to be said about making that type of money and being healthy enough to enjoy it when it's all over, even if you didn't get to "play" much or get famous doing it.

 

[MarcO]

in a brutal game like football in the NFL - give me option 1. Most of these guys can barely walk after their careers - I'd prefer a 15 year career as a backup, retire, work on my golf game and then hit the Champions tour...

 

[gianmarco]

If you prefer to be a backup then you have no ambition/confidence & should do the world a favor & end yourself

I'll ignore the end of that statement as it was pretty inappropriate and over the top. But, as to the basic premise of what you are trying to say, I would venture to guess you are probably not married and have children (yet). Preferring to be a backup in a sport and league like the NFL with a very real chance of serious injury (look at how many backup QB's play every year due to injuries to starters) is hardly an indication of lacking ambition/confidence. In fact, choosing that route at the risk of denying yourself fame is not an easy decision but makes sense if you are doing it with others in mind.Personally, I would prefer to be able to walk and run without pain (or even at all) at the age of 40-50 so I can participate in activities with my child which many ex-NFL players aren't able to do.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I've got a lot of lingering pain from H.S., USMC & college ball, and I'm only 31 & been out of football for 6 years. I wouldn't trade a minute of it, and I answered that I would want to be a starter. There is no other preferable choice if you really are a football player. That said, by the time you turn 30, making a mil/yr to practice is a pretty nice consolation prize.

 

[Wu-banger]

So far judging by the poll 10 people on here dont deserve to be called Footballguys.

PATHETIC.

 

[Rovers]

Easy one for me... be a starter. I would want to work hard and improve. How many scouts knew Brady would be so good? It happens. Warner is another example of a guy not content to be a backup. Competitive spirit should dictate... be a starter and try to prove yourself.

 

[travdogg]

Apparently Jason Garrett voted 12 times?

 

[Topes]

I'd assume the cushy backup has a longer career and makes more salary. That assumption could easily be wrong.

Before answering the poll, I'd like to know whether earnings should be part of the consideration.

 

[gianmarco]

I'd assume the cushy backup has a longer career and makes more salary. That assumption could easily be wrong.Before answering the poll, I'd like to know whether earnings should be part of the consideration.

They are absolutely part of the consideration. They are a major part of the consideration. You can make a ton of money being a backup (i.e. Sorgi). Or you can try your hand at being a starter, risking injury and losing out on future salary but with the chance of hitting a big contract like Romo/Brady.

 

[gianmarco]

Jim Sorgi -- Best Job in the World

I’ve found my new idol. Like most people, I have a respectful fascination for people who get paid big bucks to do very little. And when I say “respectful fascination” I mean “intense jealous hatred”. But every once in awhile, I’ll witness a person getting over on the system and I’ll have to applaud them for the combination of sheer brilliance and laziness.

Today I salute you, Jim Sorgi, backup Indianapolis Colts quarterback and perpetual clipboard holder.

You’ve come along way since the last time I remember any meaningful news about you that involved actually playing football. It was only a mere four years ago when we witnessed Ohio State’s Robert Reynolds (a budding NFL Thug in the making) go all WWF on your throat with a vice grip.

That made some news. And then for awhile, nothing happened.You were drafted by the Colts in the 6th round in 2004. Ok, not bad, hey everyone in the free world knows that Tom Brady was a 6th round pick. He turned out ok. Things could be a lot worse, right?

Then you found out that Colts had Peyton Manning. It turns out he is like, really good at football. And durable too. 151 straight starts and counting, if you are counting Jim. Oh, you’re not? Whats on that clipboard of yours then? Crossword puzzles? Sudoku? Commercial scripts to pitch to Peyton?

So yesterday you were rewarded for your uncanny ability to signal in fake plays from the sideline and hold the clipboard (or as you call it, Ol’ Clippy) with a three-year contract extension. You could have tested the free-agent waters at the end of this year and (GASP!) maybe been able to see the field next year. Ya know, actual playing time?

F that. And give up on the greatest job in the world? I imagine the talks between Sorgi and his agent went like this.

AGENT: Jim, ok we have an offer from the Colts. Its for 3 years and they really aren’t raising your salary. You’d still only be making $850,000 a year. Lets look at some other offers.

JIM SORGI: Are you kidding me? I don’t even know how to throw a football anymore let alone call a play in a huddle. I’m screwed man! This is the best job in the world man I’m not going anywhere.

AGENT: But Jim, what about your childhood dreams of actually PLAYING in the NFL? Don’t you still want to be a starting quarterback in this league?

JIM SORGI: See this? (grabs Ol’ Clippy) All I have to do is not fumble this thing and hold onto it for 4 hours on Sunday. Thats it man, then my work week is DONE!

Its been said before, but this contract extension just reinforces the fact that Jim Sorgi has THE BEST, JOB, EVER.

 

[FUBAR]

I must admit, my answer changes if I'm looking forward or backward.

Looking forward, I want to start, I want a chance to be the man.

Looking backward, I don't know if I'd be happy as a backup or mediocre starter, but having my health (probably) and some SB rings would be cool.

 

[gianmarco]

Best Job in Football

When pondering the existence of pro football's backup quarterback, mere mortals have to be jealous.

While second-stringers have varying levels of participation on game day, the backups to Iron Man starters like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees were clearly listening to the Dire Straits when they weighed their professional options:

"Money for nothing, chicks for free."

Take a guy like Jim Sorgi. Sorgi, a former Wisconsin Badger, has played second fiddle to Manning for the Indianapolis Colts for several years. With the exception of occasional spot duty Sorgi receives in the dying weeks of a season where the Colts have locked up a playoff spot, Sorgi's job is to look focused holding a clipboard and to look trendy in a royal blue Colts ballcap.

Sure, Sorgi has to practice hard and be dedicated in the film room. The quarterback has so much responsibility that its position requires more study than most, if not all, in the NFL. But virtually every other position has to sweat and vomit in the heat of training camp two-a-days (with more strenuous drills than the quarterback); the task of studying is made easier by hanging around a pigskin savant like Manning.

When working under such a top-flight pro pivot like Manning, Favre or Brady, you essentially get the best spectator seat in the house. You get to wear a pristine NFL uniform and sip lots of Gatorade. You earn at least hundreds of thousands per year and when you find yourself flirting it up in a swanky downtown club, you still get to say you're an NFL quarterback.

So what if they aren't getting the glory? The most these players have to worry about is hucking a tight spiral in practice, not falling asleep in the film room and buttressing their investments with a fat paycheck.

The beautiful part is, even if these players are called on to take the field, they aren't vilified if their performance is sub-par. No one expects these players to thrive; they are backup quarterbacks. Of course, there are young backup pivots with lots of talent who are being groomed for a starting role, but the backups who have held the position for years will be permanent caretakers, permanent "game managers."

It's not crazy to see the appeal in taking less money and playing time to retire healthy, (still) rich and to have spent a good portion of your working life as a pro athlete. So the franchise tailback can take his millions and his high likelihood of arthritis or (at worst) paralysis.

The guys who really have it made are the Sorgis and Matt Cassels of the world.

 

[coolnerd]

I think the OP is asking may of you to make a football decision similiar what many people do in their regular lives. Many people on this board (admitted or not) have chosen a path of least resistence versus maximizing their full career potential. Seriously, how many you don't travel, didn't take that job/promotion that would have forced you to move or never followed through with plans for grad/night school?

To answer the question though, it would depend on where I was in my career. Early in my career, I would want to know for sure that I did not have the goods to be an NFL starter before making the decision to be a back-up. If I got into my later 20s or early 30s, backing up with a winning team instead getting my brains beat out on a bad team would probably be favorable. Other factors would enter into this such as the stability of the coaching staff, the starter in front of me , and the money involved.

 

[mozzy84]

get me on the field, actually playing games is fun, practicing and not playing would suck

 

[Riffraff]

Those that tried and failed still get to be chipboard holders. So do those that tried and succeeded. No real question about it. Try.

 

[waveman]

In my younger years, I would have chosen the crappy team. Now that I m older and a bit wiser, I'd take my chances behind a stud on a better team. It would be less pain to deal with when you get older (arthritis is #####) and you never know, you could wind up being better than everyone thought: See Tom Brady.

 

[Dirty Weasel]

Seems like it's a landslide victory to be a crappy starter, so I'll play devil's advocate. Sure, I love football, and I love fantasy football. But I have never played in the NFL, or college, or even in high school. Growing up I was 50% jock and 50% stoner. OK, maybe it was more like 20% jock and 80% stoner. I don't consider myself a huge risk-taker. At 41 yrs old, I'm pretty much a couch potato now, but I still play competitive softball.

I think those who voted to be the crappy starter with a shot at fame probably played competitive football at some point. Those who voted to be the benchwarmers probably never played competitive football. That is the big difference here. Since I don't desire to be spooned by a group of 350lb behemoths once a week, gimme my millions and I will be filling out business school applications on that clipboard I am holding.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

If I were a reasonably good pro football player, I'm pretty sure I'd want to be a starter, yeah.

But being a backup would be the preferable means-to-an-end for stuff I already like to do.

 

[gianmarco]

Some interesting responses so far. I guess I could have been a little more clear up top, but I would say to take Jim Sorgi as the example, You are Jim Sorgi. You were drafted in the 6th round. You've gotten to sit behind Peyton for a couple years, you've gotten paid about $1 million/year, and you've had minimal playing time aside from preseason. Now, it's time to renew your contract or go elsewhere. Do you:

1. Resign with Indy, sit behind Peyton, collect your paycheck and go on your merry way.

2. Take the job offered to you in SF or Detroit and see if you can be the next Brady/Romo?

This is assuming also that you would be getting about the same money in both situations, but most likely would get a guaranteed contract as a backup if you sign for like 3 yrs vs. an incentive-laden contract that isn't going to pay much unless you perform and they decide to keep you longterm. You risk getting benched if you don't do well (like JTO) and possibly not getting a job again.

Assume you are still relatively young (late 20's) but you aren't just starting out in the league either. That's kind of how I envisioned this and most seem to have answered with it relating to that somewhat.

 

[Jerry Lawler]

My answer depends on how we interpret the question. If, in this hypothetical career, I had the insight to know with absolute certainty that I would never be a good starter, no matter how hard I worked, then I'll take the comfortable backup job.

If I simply think others have more talent, but don't have the benefit of knowing what the future holds, I'm definitely taking my chances with the starting gig with the thought that I'll work and compete better than everyone else. It would be difficult to accept a backup job while I thought I might be good enough to be a quality starter. In the absence of other factors, like family, you owe it to yourself to put your abilities to the test and live without regrets.

 

[cstu]

If you prefer to be a backup then you have no ambition/confidence & should do the world a favor & end yourself

I'd really like to know what you are doing with your life.

 

[Super King]

Voted starter. But, it would suck being a starter on a crappy team that can't block for you. That would get real old, real quick.

On a side note, I've been trying to convince my friend, who can long snap really good (but never played organized ball), to gain 50 lbs. and try and sign on with a team.

 

[TidesofWar]

"The world needs backups, too" Judge Smails

You gotta be JTO - you can always find a backup role somewhere if you don't shine in prime time

 

[MCguidance]

I can see why people choose option one - I'm just not one of them. I'd rather get pummeled in a game than in practice.

 

[iknowsquat]

This question comes straight off my Molson T-shirt? Atleast say were you saw it. Age old question though. I'm a leader, no I'm not a follower.

 

[Wildman]

I'd much rather be a starter. Most athletes at this level are supremely confident in their skills. You have to train yourself to have this level of confidence or else you won't accomplish the things you have to get to that point in the first place. You need that confidence that you will win in just about any situation.

It's not that big of a stretch to relate it to being a fan of an NFL team that isn't very good. Many fans think - even after an 0-4 start - well, if our o-line gets healthy in two weeks and we can beat the mediocre opponents during that time, then our QB will have more time to hit that star WR downfield and we could get to 4-4 easily...then we can play to our potential.

It's the same rationalization that many players have on losing teams. I'm sure there are Bills, Titans, and Dolphins fans that thought this summer their teams could play well enough to surprise.

I'd rather have the chance to compete. Winning a ring would be nice if I were a back up, but it would be bitter-sweet because I wouldn't have felt I earned it on the field. Maybe I helped out other players in my role, but I wasn't directly responsible.

 

[azgroover]

If you prefer to be a backup then you have no ambition/confidence & should do the world a favor & end yourself

Many people in other careers don't care to let their job define them. I would guess football players are the same way. Some choose to instead focus the bulk of their energy on enjoying their lives rather than stressing about a ballgame that no one is going to care about in a year. Nothing wrong with that and hardly worth suicide.

 

[NeverEnough]

I'll ignore the end of that statement as it was pretty inappropriate and over the top.

Plenty appropriate in my world. I'm pretty driven, ambitious, etc. Too many bums in the world as it is right now. No more are needed

But, as to the basic premise of what you are trying to say, I would venture to guess you are probably not married and have children (yet).

LOL @ saying this like it has ANYTHING to do with it, but I am engaged & planning our wedding and it won't be long before we do have a child. Thanks for playing though, Dr Phil!

Preferring to be a backup in a sport and league like the NFL with a very real chance of serious injury (look at how many backup QB's play every year due to injuries to starters) is hardly an indication of lacking ambition/confidence. In fact, choosing that route at the risk of denying yourself fame is not an easy decision but makes sense if you are doing it with others in mind.

Look, we all know it's a violent sport. They know it when they start playing it. So if they are so worried about getting hurt and scared of it, pick a different career!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NeverEnough]

If you prefer to be a backup then you have no ambition/confidence & should do the world a favor & end yourself

I'd really like to know what you are doing with your life.

I'm enjoying life, planning my wedding, remodeling the house I own & now making 6 figures that I earned through years of hard work & never quitting.You must be a porn star making millions marrying Sylvia Saint, right?E-thugs galore here on FBG.

 

[NeverEnough]

If you prefer to be a backup then you have no ambition/confidence & should do the world a favor & end yourself

Many people in other careers don't care to let their job define them. I would guess football players are the same way. Some choose to instead focus the bulk of their energy on enjoying their lives rather than stressing about a ballgame that no one is going to care about in a year. Nothing wrong with that and hardly worth suicide.

100% NOT where I was going w/my statement, but as seen here, people will misinterpret things.

 

[thayman]

I would prefer to be a starting punter. Never get hit and have a shelf life of 10-20 years.

 

[NeverEnough]

I would prefer to be a starting punter. Never get hit and have a shelf life of 10-20 years.

Didn't the Cowboys' punter just break his leg?

 

[thayman]

I would prefer to be a starting punter. Never get hit and have a shelf life of 10-20 years.

Didn't the Cowboys' punter just break his leg?

Yes his foot I think. He is also the highest paid punter in the league, and will quite probably be around for another 10 years.

 

[The High Priest]

If you are in the NFL, then more than likely you were great at every other level. I think to achieve that is to be competitive, and to be competitive you have to want to play. So I think comming in you would want to at least have a shot ...3-5 years as the man, and then after than re-evaluate and thihnk about the back up role, and the retirement with loads of disc golf.

 

[FUBAR]

If you prefer to be a backup then you have no ambition/confidence & should do the world a favor & end yourself

Many people in other careers don't care to let their job define them. I would guess football players are the same way. Some choose to instead focus the bulk of their energy on enjoying their lives rather than stressing about a ballgame that no one is going to care about in a year. Nothing wrong with that and hardly worth suicide.

100% NOT where I was going w/my statement, but as seen here, people will misinterpret things.

As seen here, people will be unclear or try to hedge their statements when called on them.

If you prefer to be a backup then you have no ambition/confidence & should do the world a favor & end yourself

I'd really like to know what you are doing with your life.

I'm enjoying life, planning my wedding, remodeling the house I own & now making 6 figures that I earned through years of hard work & never quitting.You must be a porn star making millions marrying Sylvia Saint, right?E-thugs galore here on FBG.

You seem swell.

Seems like it's a landslide victory to be a crappy starter, so I'll play devil's advocate. Sure, I love football, and I love fantasy football. But I have never played in the NFL, or college, or even in high school. Growing up I was 50% jock and 50% stoner. OK, maybe it was more like 20% jock and 80% stoner. I don't consider myself a huge risk-taker. At 41 yrs old, I'm pretty much a couch potato now, but I still play competitive softball.I think those who voted to be the crappy starter with a shot at fame probably played competitive football at some point. Those who voted to be the benchwarmers probably never played competitive football. That is the big difference here. Since I don't desire to be spooned by a group of 350lb behemoths once a week, gimme my millions and I will be filling out business school applications on that clipboard I am holding.

You're probably right, although there are many risk takers who never played football at a competitive level who would prefer to start. One reason I never played for a college team was simply there were other things I thought I could do better. I may have been an ok player at a smaller college but I wanted to more success in a different field.

 

[Glatty]

Everybody that plays the game at a professional level plays to win. No one wants to sit on the bench. You tell a low round draft pick who barely makes the 53-man squad that there's a 1 in 10 chance he plays, and only if 3 guys in front of him can't, and his eyes'll light up like xmas trees!

 

[Chaka]

Long snapper baby!!!

 

[FUBAR]

Everybody that plays the game at a professional level plays to win. No one wants to sit on the bench. You tell a low round draft pick who barely makes the 53-man squad that there's a 1 in 10 chance he plays, and only if 3 guys in front of him can't, and his eyes'll light up like xmas trees!

Daunte Culpepper still thinks he can start.

 

[JamesTheScot]

Those who would choose option one wouldn't make many NFL rosters.

In the real world, obviously. Play along, if you will. All things considered, who would you rather be? Jim Sorgi or JT O'Sullivan? I mean, if I'm not mistaken, Sorgi's contract just got renewed and I've NEVER heard of talk of him trying out elsewhere. The guy seems perfectly content to sit behind Peyton, collect his paycheck, and live a happy life when the ride is over. I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with that either. I'm just curious what "regular" people's preferences would be to a situation that none of us have a shot at.

I'd want to play and make lots of money doing it. Sometimes the surest path to that goal isn't the most direct. By that I mean that the key to playing is showing a team that you can play. If you're drafted in the late rounds, it goes without saying that every team in the league is rather cynical about your ability. If that's the case you are only going to change that opinion by getting on the field and doing something with that opportunity. And to do the most with the opportunity, having a good surrounding cast certainly helps. And you tend to have the best surrounding cast on a good, competitive team...like the Colts. So patiently waiting for your chance on a decent or good team may actually be the best chance to land a starting gig...just ask Tom Brady.Look at how Tim Couch is viewed. A bust. Look at what Jeff Garcia did at SF, at Philly and now at TB. Yet what did Garcia do in Cleveland? Bad, bad team. If Garcia had started off in Cleveland rather than San Fran, I'm not sure how much of a shot he'd have gotten after Cleveland.If I'm trying to prove myself, I'll take a good team any time over a bad one any day.

 

[Kirby]

but not enough to be a star but also chance of stardom

 

[gianmarco]

but not enough to be a star but also chance of stardom

not enough to be a star (per the scouts or coaches, i.e. drafted late) or in other words, you're not coming into the league like Jay Cutler or Brady Quinnbut chance of stardom as for some reason an opening for a starting job popped up and YOU were offered it (like JTO was in SF).

 

[FUBAR]

Those who would choose option one wouldn't make many NFL rosters.

In the real world, obviously. Play along, if you will. All things considered, who would you rather be? Jim Sorgi or JT O'Sullivan? I mean, if I'm not mistaken, Sorgi's contract just got renewed and I've NEVER heard of talk of him trying out elsewhere. The guy seems perfectly content to sit behind Peyton, collect his paycheck, and live a happy life when the ride is over. I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with that either. I'm just curious what "regular" people's preferences would be to a situation that none of us have a shot at.

I'd want to play and make lots of money doing it. Sometimes the surest path to that goal isn't the most direct. By that I mean that the key to playing is showing a team that you can play. If you're drafted in the late rounds, it goes without saying that every team in the league is rather cynical about your ability. If that's the case you are only going to change that opinion by getting on the field and doing something with that opportunity. And to do the most with the opportunity, having a good surrounding cast certainly helps. And you tend to have the best surrounding cast on a good, competitive team...like the Colts. So patiently waiting for your chance on a decent or good team may actually be the best chance to land a starting gig...just ask Tom Brady.

Look at how Tim Couch is viewed. A bust. Look at what Jeff Garcia did at SF, at Philly and now at TB. Yet what did Garcia do in Cleveland? Bad, bad team. If Garcia had started off in Cleveland rather than San Fran, I'm not sure how much of a shot he'd have gotten after Cleveland.

If I'm trying to prove myself, I'll take a good team any time over a bad one any day.

Brady was on the bench for one year. Guys like JTO or Steve Young took a lot longer.

 

[Koya]

Isn't the whole idea of playing pro sports is to acually...you know...play?

Not necessarily. For some, it's a job. It is about going to work, getting paid, supporting your family. I dont mean this is a selfish way either - we all (well most) have to work in some field, and for some, its football.With that in mind, if you arent in it "for the love of the game" but do everything you need to be as prepared as possible, why not accept your limitations and be a solid backup rather than shorten your career and earning power by starting when even in your heart you know that your skill level will not have you starting for long.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Call me whatever you want but I'll happily take millions of dollars, little chance of injury and the anonymity that allows me to go anywhere I want with my family and not be recognized.

As others mentioned, lots of these guys have major health problems as they get older. Earl Christian Campbell spends most of his time in a wheelchair. I'd be very happy to have a nice backup career and the body to enjoy the money I made without pain or long-term damage.

I'd never get drafted by a fantasy team, but my family would never want for anything and I'd be healthy enough to enjoy the great life I could afford with my backup money.

Oh, did I mention I'd never work a day past 35? Sign me up.