Couldn't find anything on the forums about this, but it is a feel good story. Brown, once the highest paid center left football after the 2013-2014 season to farm. Anybody know more about this story? Seems like he could've waited another few years. There'd still be hungry people then. Did he have issues with the team or history of mental illness?
Seems like he is a pretty healthy individual. He left a sport where he already made millions to go do something he wanted to do. I don't think you get CTE from farming either. And let's say he kept like $10 million of that $25 million after taxes and agents and whatever. What do you really need more money for at point? You already have $10 million.
When you've made $25MM, you're easily set for life. Another $12MM is not really that big a deal, especially if you have simple tastes and feel you have a different calling. Why risk the uncertain effects of cumulative head trauma more than needed? The first several million makes sense because it changes the nature of your life. But the risk/reward equation is different for the additional money.
Barry Sanders did the same thing and left the NFL in his prime. If you have simple tastes, a couple of million dollars will last you a long time and he is doing something he really loves.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZOL2zTgweMs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> It turns out his wife is a dentist. They will never go broke assuming he hasn't taken out tons of bad loans.
It is when you want to live on a farm and provide food for homeless. If you had $25MM, knowing what we do about CTE and like, would you risk your future health and happiness for another $12MM?
I'm not disagreeing with his choices. If that is what makes him happy, it probably is a smart choice. He can always farm after football. He will never get the football experience again. Hopefully that is something that he can live with.
investing at 3% Bond gives 750k a year. That puts you in top 1% of all earners in the country. Even half of that puts you close to the 1%.
I wish he'd started a transport company, feed or equipment retailer or just become a wholesaler/merchandiser, farming itself is functionally unprofitable and exhausting, and could eat his fortune in a decade. At least run out your contract and take ag classes in the offseason.
Even as great a shape as he was in, eight years as a running back has lots of wear and tear. Also it's almost a given he despised Bobby Ross, and probably would have anyone who wasn't Wayne Fontes.
Except his goal is to do something he enjoys and is meaningful to him and actually try to enjoy his life. Nothing you suggested has anything to do with any of his goals or interests.
