Odell Beckham Jr. defends ridiculed $100m comments as Shannon Sharpe blasts ‘out of his mind’ NFL star

Shannon Sharpe has told Odell Beckham Jr. to rejoin the humble folks on planet earth.

The legendary wide receiver caused a stir with his comments on The Pivot podcast, where he complained that making a $100 million contract last a lifetime was a struggle.

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“I always explain this to people,” OBJ said. “You give somebody a five-year, $100 million contract—that’s five years for 60. We’re getting taxed.

“That’s 12 million a year you have to spend, use, save, invest, flaunt, whatever.”

Shannon Sharpe blasts Odell Beckham Jr. over financial admission

His comments quickly went viral, with many taking the view that a little less flaunting and little more investing would make all the difference.

Sharpe is among them.

“OBJ, I’ going to be honest with you, bro,” he said. “If you get 60 million dollars liquid and that can’t last you a lifetime, you’ve got a problem.

“Do you really need 10 houses? Do you really need 15 cars? Do you need to buy everybody in your family a house that costs a million or two million dollars?

“First of all, if you buy somebody in your family a house that costs a million or two, first of all, they can’t afford the upkeep on it.

“You buy somebody a Mercedes, a Ferarri, a high-end car…if something happens to it, who are they calling?”

Sharpe claimed that spending over $4 million without having a business to fall back on is reckless.

“You out of your damn mind,” he added.

YouTube

YouTube

OBJ took to his own X account to defend himself amid the backlash, not just from Sharpe, but the wider sporting world

“Boy u can’t say nothin in this world nowadays,” OBJ posted. “People love to take Shxt completely outta context to rationalize a statement in their own head that makes sense to them… what a world.”

Sharpe’s era came before Beckham and he made around $22 million in a Hall of Fame career before turning to broadcasting.

Many players do not get close to those numbers in what is known to be a brutal business.

Su’a Cravens lasted just two years of his rookie contract before knee issues struck — it is called the Not For Long league for a reason.

The ESPN LA social analyst says OBJ only has himself to blame for not managing his fortune properly.

“Look, I was drafted in the 2nd round on a rookie deal of about 4 million before tax,” he posted on X. “And 6 years removed from the NFL, I can say I can live the lifestyle I desire, while also saving money and putting my kids in the position to win later in life.

“These guys that touch over 10 million and blow through it sounds like pure user error on their end because AINT NO DAMN WAY!!!! If I touched 100 million, sorry ESPN, B10, & USC… YAL WOULD NEVER SEE MY FACE AGAIN !!!!

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“I’m just sayin man ! At some point, self control and accountability gotta kick in.

“I can honestly say I wasted money early in my short career and 100% wish I could get it back. I no longer even have my S63 AMG. I don’t have my GTR black edition. Resold any jewelry I bought.

“I ain’t too proud to admit I had to make an adjustment to my everyday life to remain fiscally responsible. I love my career now but it def ain’t what I was making in the league!”

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