John Elway
A lot of players fall so hard for the game that they become incapable of leaving it behind. This guy is a great example of that. After sixteen years with the Denver Broncos, John Elway retired from the sport in 1998. He ended up working as its General Manager after that! He did not only make $45 million as a player, but he also increased his net worth to $145 million after that. Under his guidance, the team secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with Ford.
John Elway
Pat Tillman
The truth is that Pat Tillman has a story that is honorable, interesting, and tragic all at once. In 1998, the Arizona Cardinals snapped him up during the draft. He ended up catching the attention of the Cardinals, who offered him a $9 million contract. He stayed put. In 2002, he decided to serve in the US Army after the events of the previous year. Sadly, he died in active duty two years later. He did not make a lot of money through endorsements due to his short career. His career earnings totaled $5 million, but he only had a million bucks to his name at the time of his death. He might be gone, but he is not forgotten.
Pat Tillman
