NFL players are often paid a big sum to showcase their wares on the field. With a sport that pays its athletes highly, some athletes have used it as a path to get out of poverty. For some, it was the career that allowed them to live luxuriously.

Unfortunately, just like any other sport, playing in the NFL doesn’t last forever. Because of this, believe it or not, there are still a handful of NFL players who went broke after hanging up their cleats despite making many millions of dollars.

From extravagant spending, failed investments, legal troubles, and to shady financial advisors, anyone would have a hard time keeping up with these expenses once retired. For this piece, let’s take a look at the 10 richest NFL players who went broke.

10. Andre Rison

Career earnings:$19.17 million

Andre Rison carved out a respectable career in the NFL. In fact, the five-time Pro Bowler even bagged a $17 million contract with the Cleveland Browns at one point.

To his financial demise, lavish spending on jewelry, nightclubs, and cars were culprits to his woes. On top of these, Rison was obligated to pay child support, which led to his bankruptcy in 2007.

9. Bernie Kosar

Career earnings: $20 million

After making the Pro Bowl and winning a Super Bowl title, Kosar did what he could to piece together a respectable career in the NFL. Unfortunately, life after football wasn’t the same for him as he joined the long list of NFL players who went broke.

Kosar suffered losses as much as $15 million due to divorce, a failed steakhouse, unsecured loans, and a large $18.9 million debt. He also had unsettled taxes with the State of Ohio that amounted to $173,000.

8. Luther Elliss

Career earnings: $20+ million

Generosity is a highly respected trait. However, anything too much can be bad. This was the case for former Lions defensive tackle Luther Elliss.

Elliss often found himself in the giving end during charities. This included adopting six children when he already had five children to feed.

On top of being overly generous, Elliss experienced several failed business ventures that led him to file for bankruptcy. Fortunately, he still has a job. Elliss serves as an assistant coach for the University of Utah where his son Jonah Elliss just played his junior season before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.

7. Warren Sapp

Career earnings: $40 million

Warren Sapp was outstanding on the field. However, off the field, he had problems in terms of handling money. Despite earning millions of dollars in the NFL, Sapp retired with $6.7 million in debt to his name.

Sapp lived an extravagant lifestyle which saw him blow money on expensive items, including a crazy number of Jordan sneakers, a $6,000 watch, a $1,200 rug made of lion skin, and many more. Although Sapp got a job as an analyst with the NFL Network, the company eventually let him go. Fortunately, Sapp will be an assistant coach for Deion Sanders and Colorado football.

6. Clinton Portis

Career earnings: $43 million

Playing for the Denver Broncos and the then Washington Redskins, Portis was a serviceable running back. Unfortunately, retirement hasn’t been great for the former NFL player.

Portis experienced failed investments with partly the fault of suspicious investment consultants. Furthermore, a lavish lifestyle and $150,000 in child support forced him into bankruptcy.

5. Lawrence Taylor

Career earnings: $50 million

While playing for the New York Giants, Taylor had a legendary career that saw him win MVP, three NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and two Super Bowl Titles.

It's hard to imagine arguably the greatest defender and one of the greatest NFL players ever going broke. But despite his talents and achievements on the field, Taylor was hooked up with drugs such as cocaine. Because of this, it wasn't long before he found himself out of the league. Add in some legal troubles involving drugs, sexual misconduct, and tax fraud, the former MVP was left penniless.

4. Mark Brunell

Career earnings: $50 million

A Super Bowl champion, three Pro Bowl appearances, and a huge load of money would make the retirement transition smooth for a lot of people. However, not for Mark Brunell. Despite making loads of money while playing, Brunell lost all of his career earnings even before formally retiring.

The culprits included failed investments in real estate and a Whataburger franchise. His spending on luxurious mansions also contributed to his financial woes. Fortunately, Brunell has tried to offset his bankruptcy with a medical sales job and serving as a quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions.

3. Deuce McAllister

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Career earnings: $70 million

Playing for the Saints in his entire career, McAllister is considered to be one of the greatest to play in New Orleans. While it looked like he was set for life after earning big money and opening up a Nissan dealership, McAllister’s money went down the drain after retirement.

McAllister’s Nissan dealership failed. Afterwards, McAllister was sued by Nissan for stopping to pay the required debts. To make matters worse, McAllister was also sued by Whitnet National Bank for not being able to pay $1.8 million on a property.

2. Terrell Owens

Career earnings: $80 million

Cockiness is forgivable on the NFL field. But in the real world, there can be dire consequences. While he achieved various milestones as one of the top NFL players of his day, Owens blew all his earnings after retirement and eventually went broke.

The six-time Pro Bowler suffered failed real-estate investments. Moreover, Owens also squandered his money on unnecessary expensive assets including cars and jewelry. As a result, Owens turned financially broke and still had unsettled balances in terms of tax and child support.

1. Michael Vick

Career earnings: $116 million

Michael Vick established himself as one of the most talented quarterbacks in his time. He had a solid stint with the Atlanta Falcons before getting caught in a dog-fighting scandal that sent him to prison. He also had a large debt, worth $17 million, which led him to declare bankruptcy.

Fortunately, Vick was given a second chance in the NFL after being released from prison. He had future stints with the Eagles, Jets, and Steelers, which allowed him to pay off his debt that closed his bankruptcy case.