NFL seminar: Rookies told to take care of finances to avoid post-career woes – NFL News
The prospective professional football players heading to play for respective teams in the National Football League (NFL) have been advised at the NFL’s rookies' symposium to take care of their financial health during their careers more
than anything else to avoid hardships of the post-retirement life.
Justin Blackmon, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie wide receiver, and his college pal, Cleveland Browns’ quarterback, Brandon Weeden, attended the clinical session of the seminar and were surprised to know that about 78 percent of the players
leave the pro league broke.
Blackmon, who was recently arrested and released over a driving under the influence (DUI) charge, was particularly warned against the off-field troubles that the new pro players are prone to in the transition phase, from college to the
pro league.
Apart from the financial problem, fighting addictions and having their family life crumbled are some of the issues, which were highlighted at the symposium as learning lessons for the rookies.
The seminar, which the league office has been organising for an education and awareness of rookies for the last 15 summers, had many former players to speak to rookies in the perspective of personal experiences to help avoid them indulging
into any off-field distractions that could derail their careers in a matter of a short span.
Weeden was particularly pleased to know the problems the pro players can face in managing their financing.
He said he knows of such experiences but finds himself lucky to have managed well his finances. He said he is still spending the money he had earned during his baseball career about a decade ago.
Brandon said:
"I don't think I would want that role. But I've been smart with my money. I think I've been smart in all my decision making. I've heard a lot of the same stuff going back to my rookie year in baseball, which is 10 years ago. I'm still
living on my baseball money, so I've done things right, which is good.”
He added:
"I didn't get a ton of money when I played baseball. Fortunately, I've got a wife who is really smart financially and frugal and she doesn't go out and spent it for me.”
The QB must wish for a similar situation for his former colleague, Blackmon, who has already been through some troubles due to his off-field activities.
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