The NFL is one of the most watched sports in the world. Whether looking for NFL picks today or going through the news, you have probably come across names like Tom Brady and Odell Beckham. These players live by specific structures like payments and workout regimens.
The National Football League (NFL) is an American football league consisting of 32 teams divided between the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference.
Read on to learn about ten facts about NFL players that you probably didn’t know:
1. Most NFL Players Struggle Financially
A study in 2009 conducted on players in the NFL revealed that most of them go through financial difficulties, even as severe as bankruptcy, just after two years of retirement.
A couple of these players even struggle with their finances while playing. An NFL player’s average career spans three years, and most don’t get these notable contracts that we see some players sign.
2. The Average NFL Player’s Salary is $1.9 Million
The average salary in the NFL is relatively low, especially among professional sporting leagues in the United States. It raises many eyebrows because the NFL is among the most-watched leagues in the world, and they earn a lot of money. Considering that the average career duration is 3.3 years, NFL players don’t make the most money.
3. NFL Players Only Get Paid During The Season
The NFL season lasts for eighteen weeks, and the average player makes about $1.9 million-$2 million dollars per season. During the season, they earn a weekly salary based on their performance. However, they often receive bonuses.
4. NFL Players Don’t Lift Many Weights
Strength may be a common trait among NFL players, but most athletes would rather spend their time working on skills related to their specific position instead of lifting weights. The average player’s weight training session can be completed in forty-five minutes, which they won’t do throughout the week.
5. An NFL player Can’t Earn Below $465,000
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement specifies the minimum salaries for players based on their number of years in the league.
However, if you don’t have up to four years of experience, you may receive a lower salary of $420,000. These league minimums are proposed to increase by $15,000 each year.
6. Most NFL Players Score Touchdowns The Same Way
We are familiar with the technique most quarterbacks use to throw touchdown passes. Similarly,most wide receivers catch these touchdowns in the same manner. Only two players have scored touchdowns in six ways: Deion Sanders and Bill Dudley.
7. Eastern Illinois Has Produced Many Super Bowl Champions
Eastern Illinois is not a Football Bowl Subdivision program, but the school has birthed many NFL stars. Super Bowl-winning head coaches Sean Payton and Mike Shanahan attended Eastern Illinois University.
8. NFL Players Work Long and Hard
The average NFL player gets to his team’s training facility as early as 7:00 AM during the regular season. Each day, he has to attend meetings, work out, study and practice before returning home by 7:00 PM.
Many players get a day off on Tuesdays, depending on when they play that week. He has to keep this up for seventeen weeks. The training camp, which lasts six months, makes the schedule even more demanding.
9. Most NFL Players Have Side Hustles
Many former NFL players had side hustles while they played football. Some now handle their businesses from the proceeds they earned from their careers. For instance, former Cowboys QB Roger Staubach became a real estate magnate in Texas.
10. NFL Player’s Sizes Have Significantly Increased
In 1974, 34 offensive linemen were drafted by NFL teams. The average player weighed 255 pounds. In 1999, another 34 offensive linemen averaged 317 pounds, a 62-pound increase.
Today, the average NFL player stands at 6” and weighs 250 pounds, far more significant than the average American.
These facts are some of the most essential in NFL history. Knowledge of NFL history can help you stay better informed and improve your experience.
