NFL players are paid a big sum to showcase their wares on the football field. With a sport that pays its athletes highly, many athletes have leveraged their athletic abilities to getting 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 richest NFL players who went broke.

13. Johnny Unitas

Career earnings: $1.25 million

Johnny Unitas is the pioneer of the quarterback position. He wasn't drafted until the ninth round in 1955, and the Pittsburgh Steelers even cut him ahead of his rookie season. That led to Unitas working construction and playing semi-pro ball until the Baltimore Colts gave him another chance.

From there, Unitas would become “The Golden Arm.” He broke numerous records and established himself as not only arguably the first great QB, but one of the best players in NFL history, regardless of position. His career 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns were unprecedented marks at the time. In fact, Unitas led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns four times each.

A three-time MVP, three-time NFL champion, and Super Bowl V champion, Unitas revolutionized and helped popularize the game of football. Of course, during his playing days, players didn't make near what they make today. A career earnings mark above $1 million was still quite impressive. Unitas didn't put all of his money in the best places, though. He reportedly lost over $5.3 million, which was greater than his NFL career earnings, on failed investments and businesses. Unitas went bankrupt in 1991.

12. Rashee Rice

Career earnings: $6 million

The lone active player on this list, Rashee Rice has displayed tons of potential during his young career with the Kansas City Chiefs, but off-the-field problems have derailed his career to some degree. After a 79-catch rookie season, Rice's numbers have fallen off a cliff, largely because he has missed time due to injuries and suspension.

The suspension came in 2025 for six games after he was convicted of felony hit-and-run charges. Rice later served jail time, while recovering from offseason surgery, for violating his probation. This season, it was reported that Rice owes $3.5 million for debts stemming from the car crash and assault allegations.

The Kansas City Chiefs star is the top wide receiver on a team in the midst of a dynasty, but he even had to file for bankruptcy during what is just his fourth NFL season. Rice's liabilities are particularly devastating because he hasn't accumulated much in career earnings yet. Considering he is still on his rookie contract, Rice has made less than double what he reportedly owed in debts.

11. 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. His greatest season came in 1993, when he had 15 touchdown catches. This was the fourth straight year surpassing the double-digit mark, and Rison ended up with 84 scores for his career.

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

10. Bernie Kosar

Career earnings: $20 million

Bernie Kosar was the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns during the late '80s and early '90s. After making the Pro Bowl and eventually winning a Super Bowl title with the Dallas Cowboys as Troy Aikman's backup, 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.

9. 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 on the giving end during charities. This included adopting six children when he already had five children of his own 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 recently played college ball before being drafted in 2024 by the Denver Broncos. Another son of his, Kaden Ellis, also made it to the league. I guess having all of those kids paid off.

Luther had 331 career tackles and two Pro Bowl nods during his career. Not only was he able to teach his kids the football skills that led to them becoming professionals, but one would assume he had some financial advice for them to ensure they didn't make similar mistakes, too.

8. Vince Young

Career earnings: $35 million

Vince Young is one of the greatest college football players of all time. He won a championship at Texas and revolutionized the game by thriving as a runner at the quarterback position. His big moments in Austin led to him being drafted third overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2006.

Young would actually go to two Pro Bowls and earn Rookie of the Year honors in the NFL, but he played his last NFL snap by 2011. The former Davey O'Brien Award winner struggled to extend his career largely because reckless decisions scared teams off. Young was bad with his money and made purchases like paying off five-figure dinner tabs and buying expensive cars. He even once bought out an entire plane so he could have it to himself.

Young would eventually turn things around. He earned a degree and became a broadcaster for the Longhorn Network. Still, bad financial decisions played a part in his NFL career being shorter than anticipated.

7. Warren Sapp

Career earnings: $40 million

Warren Sapp was outstanding on the field. He made seven Pro Bowls, racked up 96.5 sacks, and was arguably the best player on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won a Super Bowl. As a pass-rushing defensive tackle, it just might not get better than the Miami product.

However, off the field, Sapp 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 much more. Although Sapp got a job as an analyst with the NFL Network, the company eventually let him go. Sapp landed on his feet and was recently an assistant coach for Colorado football under Coach Prime until the 2026 season.

6. Clinton Portis

Career earnings: $43 million

In the early 2000s, premier running backs were of the utmost importance. The Denver Broncos took one of many to come out of the University of Miami at that time in Clinton Portis. The second-round pick burst onto the scene with Rookie of the Year honors in 2002 and a Pro Bowl nod in his second year.

Then, he was traded in a deal that would never happen today. Portis was sent to the Washington Redskins for Champ Bailey and a second-round pick. Bailey would go on to become one of the best Broncos ever and arguably the best cornerback to ever play the game. Portis, meanwhile, would continue to put up big numbers, as he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards six total times. Still, the Broncos were viewed as the winners of the trade.

Unfortunately, Portis trusted the wrong people, including some sketchy financial advisers. The running back lost millions, including plenty of cash to his own mother. He even considered murdering a financial manager during his rock bottom. Luckily, Portis didn't go that far.

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. Only three players have thrice been named the DPOY, and many consider Taylor to be the greatest defensive player of all time.

He wreaked havoc in opposing backfields and is a big reason why the edge position is now considered the most important in football outside of QB. Taylor's 132.5 career sacks are the 15th most ever.

It's hard to imagine arguably the greatest defender and one of the greatest NFL players ever going broke. 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. LT is forever an NFL legend, but not necessarily a role model.

4. Deuce McAllister

Career earnings: $70 million

Playing for the Saints for his entire career, Deuce McAllister is considered to be one of the greatest to play in New Orleans during the 21st century. The running back racked up 6,096 yards, 49 rushing touchdowns, and two Pro Bowls. 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. Afterward, McAllister was sued by Nissan for stopping payments on his 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.

3. Mark Brunell

Career earnings: $70 million

Mark Brunell burst onto the scene as the Rose Bowl MVP for Washington in 1991. He was drafted in round five by the Green Bay Packers a couple of years later and would go on to have a solid career in which he started 151 games, threw for 32,072 yards, and had 184 touchdowns.

Brunell was at his best during the Jacksonville Jaguars' infancy. He made three Pro Bowls with the team and helped them become immediate postseason contenders. Brunell would even go on to win his lone Super Bowl as Drew Brees' backup in Super Bowl XLIV as a member of the Saints.

However, a 2010 bankruptcy declared that Brunell had nearly $27 million in liabilities. After his playing days, Brunell's income just didn't come close to matching his expenses. Brunell had lost millions in failed investments and faced lawsuits because of a company called Champions LLC, which failed to make repayments on loans.

Brunell seems to be back on his feet now, though. He is the quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions, meaning he has played a big part in Jared Goff's development into becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and the Lions being a consistently high-octane offense.

2. Terrell Owens

Career earnings: $80 million

Cockiness can be 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, Terrell 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.

On the field, TO still ranks third in career receiving yards (15,934). He was a big-bodied receiver and a big play waiting to happen. He was also known as somewhat of a prima donna. Owens is certainly one of the most polarizing players in NFL history.

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.

Arguably the greatest rushing quarterback ever, it is possible that financial issues would have never come his way if Vick's decisions didn't lead to him losing his prime. Now, Vick is the head coach at Norfolk State.