Retired NFL Players That Are Now Successful Businessmen
There are a lot of things that the average NFL player can’t afford: mansions, private jets, and fancy yachts just to name a few. But that doesn’t mean that these players have nothing in the bank. Many former NFL players have gone on to live comfortable lives after their time on the field was over. This article will look at some of the former NFLers and how they are managing after their days playing professional football.
Richard Manning
Richard Manning was an all-star cornerback for the Chicago Bears. He spent all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Bears, and he was a member of their 1985 Super Bowl-winning team. After retiring, Rich became a successful businessman.
He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the NFL Alumni Association since 2003 and he has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Gridiron Greats since 2007. He is currently a partner at the hedge fund giant Bridgewater Associates.
Jared Allen
Jared Allen won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2004, the same year he was named to the Pro Bowl. He went on to have a highly successful career, winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos and amassing 126.5 quarterback sacks in his career, which is the ninth-most in NFL history.
Jared has had success outside of football as well, becoming an entrepreneur and launching the apparel line Hellman’s Homewear. He also founded the Jared Allen Vision Foundation, a non-profit that provides free eye care to people who can’t afford it.
Jason Bateman
Jason Bateman was a defensive end who played for the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers from 1994 to 2003. After retiring from football, he became a broadcaster for the Pac-12 Network. Bateman currently works as a studio analyst for the network, providing commentary for games and hosting studio shows. He also works as a motivational speaker and has written a book called The Path to the Pros: The Making of a Sports Broadcaster.
Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett played defensive end for the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers from 2007 to 2011. After retiring from football, he became an activist and philanthropist. He began working with the Black Lives Matter movement and has advised NFL players on how to peacefully protest social injustice.
Bennett is also a vocal critic of the NFL’s contractual relationship with the military and has called on the league to cut ties with the Department of Defense.
Tedy Bruschi
Tedy Bruschi played linebacker for the New England Patriots from 1996 to 2008. After he retired from football, Tedy went on to become an analyst and commentator for ESPN. He is a regular contributor on their SportsCenter and an analyst on their podcast. He has also guest-hosted SportsCenter on a handful of occasions.
Bruschi has also written two books: Every Play Counts: Winning the Mental Game in Football and Life and The New York Times Best Seller The Bruschi Line: My Life in Football and Beyond. Bruschi is also a philanthropist and works with various organizations.
Terrell Davis
Terrell Davis was a running back for the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2001. After retiring from football, he became a commentator for FOX Sports and CBS Sports and appeared on their NFL pre-game shows. He also hosted a show called The TD Show on CBS Radio. In addition to his work in sports broadcasting, Davis is an entrepreneur. He started the consulting firm TD xtraORDINARY Ventures in 2014 and later launched the line of supplements TD TE Channels.
Warren Sapp
One of the most well-known former NFL players is Warren Sapp. He spent his entire 14-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. After retiring from the NFL, he opened a restaurant in Florida, where he serves up crab cakes and seafood dishes.
He also has a book out called “War on Everything” where he talks about his life in the NFL, as well as his personal experiences and observations throughout his life.
Terry Bradshaw
Another former NFL player who has built a successful business is Terry Bradshaw. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 to 1983, which made him one of the longest-tenured players in NFL history. After retiring from the NFL, Bradshaw bought an Italian restaurant and went on to open four more over the next 15 years. Today, Bradshaw owns eight restaurants across four states.
Conclusion
Not everyone who retires from the NFL goes on to further their career in other ventures. However, there are plenty of retired players that have built successful businesses.
If you ever play in the NFL, it might be a safer choice to save your money and live as frugally as possible to set yourself up for a comfortable post-football career.
Being a retired player or avid fan means there are also ways to use your knowledge of the game. History has shown that there is a pattern to different plays. While there is certainly no guaranteed win, it’s always a good idea to use stats such as the Super Bowl odds to confirm if betting online might be worthwhile.
Smart investments, being creative, and managing a small business can all foster a steady income. While not all retired NFL players have become successful businesspeople, there are certainly some that have made it big after hanging up their helmets.
