For Detroit Lions wide receiver Ryan Broyles, living beyond your means has never really been an issue for him. That’s because the former Oklahoma standout whose dealt with his fair share of health issues barely touches any of the $3.68 million dollar rookie contract he signed with the Lions.
In an article on ESPN.com, the 27-year old Broyles said that he and his wife live on a $60,000 a year budget which also includes himself driving around the 2005 Chevy Trailblazer he rode in college.
Apparently though Broyles’ budgeting isn’t about being cheap, it’s about having plans for his money after is playing career is over.
“Then you know how much you can invest, how risky you can be,” Broyles said.
The receiver, who’s headed into the final year of his rookie deal, wasn’t sure if $60,000 would be enough, but apparently, it’s worked out just fine.
“When I was hitting the same budget over three, four, five months, it was all right, this is what your budget is and I had some spending money,” Broyles said.
Broyles also enlisted the help of an investor after signing his contract with the Lions.
“I didn’t hold myself back at all on those terms. That’s what I tell people when they want to start to invest,” Broyles said. “I tell them to live your life and see where you stand and then pull back. Don’t pull back without even knowing.”
Perhaps Broyles also sees the writing on the wall in terms of his career. After an injury plagued college career that was followed up a pro career also plagued by injury, Broyles’ future in the NFL probably doesn’t have a long shelf life.
The NFL and pro sports all together have certainly seen their fair share of pro athletes go broke from lavish spending and living beyond their means. In the NFL alone we’ve seen first round picks like Vince Young spend $5,000 a week at the Cheesecake Factory before having to sell off his assets to repay a $1 million dollar plus loan. There’s also been Warren Sapp’s massive child support bills, Terrell Owens’ backed taxes and Michael Vick’s lawsuits. Simply put Ryan Broyles has had plenty of example of what not to do his money.