NFL careers can be short and have many financial pitfalls, but these players proved they were just as sharp off the field as they were on it. These guys ensured their money worked for them long after the final whistle, whether through savvy investments, thoughtful budgeting, or building empires outside of football.
This list reminds us that being smart with money is always in style. From real estate moguls to tech entrepreneurs to players who lived well below their means, here are 15 NFL stars who turned their paychecks into long-term financial wins.
15. Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins is famous for stacking guaranteed contracts, but he’s also known for driving an old van and keeping things simple. He’s lived frugally, saved religiously, and invested wisely, showing you don’t have to live like a baller to be one.
14. Vernon Davis
Vernon Davis turned his NFL earnings into a post-football portfolio that includes real estate, film production, and a wine company. The man diversified like a Wall Street pro and came out ahead.
13. Justin Tucker
As the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Tucker has kicked his way into long-term security—and he’s also made wise choices off the field. He’s invested carefully and built a brand with a surprisingly low profile for a guy with a golden leg.
12. Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald treated every paycheck like it might be his last and grew his money through investments, philanthropy, and business deals. The guy has stayed classy, wealthy, and low-key the whole time.
11. Ndamukong Suh
Suh didn’t just dominate the trenches—he dominated his finances. Known for spending little of his football income, he focused on business investments and set himself up for long-term wealth.
10. Andrew Luck
Luck famously retired early, but he also made sure his millions would last by staying away from flashy spending. He lived modestly, saved aggressively, and now enjoys life without financial stress.
9. Marshawn Lynch
Beast Mode wasn’t just about breaking tackles—he broke the mold for how to handle NFL money. Lynch reportedly lived off endorsement income and saved all his football salary, a rare move in pro sports.
8. Calvin Johnson
Megatron walked away early from football, but not from his financial sense. He invested in cannabis and wellness ventures, building a business career that’s taken off after football.
7. Brandon Copeland
Copeland played linebacker in the league but also taught financial literacy at Penn. He’s been passionate about educating others while making his sharp investment moves
6. Philip Rivers
Rivers was all about consistency, on the field and in his finances. He raised a huge family on a budget, avoided wild purchases, and planned like a coach drawing up plays.
5. Russell Wilson
Wilson built his wealth beyond football with smart endorsement deals and business ventures. He’s dabbled in everything from tech startups to fashion while keeping his long-term money goals in mind.
4. Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill quietly built financial security by living modestly and letting his investments grow. He didn’t chase fame—he chased sustainability.
3. Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman talked and walked the walk on and off the field. A Stanford grad, he negotiated his contracts and built an innovative investment portfolio that proves brains and brawn can go hand in hand.
2. Peyton Manning
Manning didn’t just read defenses—he read the business world like a pro. He parlayed his popularity into successful endorsements, investments, and ownership opportunities, becoming a financial powerhouse.
Read More: Ranking the 30 Best Quarterbacks of All Time
1. Rob Gronkowski
Gronk might seem like a party guy, but his money habits are all business. He famously never touched his NFL salary, living solely off endorsements and saving like a financial advisor’s dream client.
Read More: 12 Irrational Things Smart People Do with Money
