The NFL boasts the largest net worth in any sports league. It boasts a value of around $142.87 billion, combining all 32 franchises. But despite this, the league ranks third in annual player salary, behind the NBA and MLB. Recently, the underpayments of RBs in the NFL also became a hot topic of discussion. With Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and other RBs failing to secure long-term deals with their team, it has brought concern among running backs playing in the NFL. They also held a Zoom meeting to discuss their situation and figure out ways to address their underpayment concerns.

But did you know, there was a player in the NFL years ago who faced a similar issue of payment? This player later went on to become an actor, most notably known for his role in the hit TV series ‘Brooklyn 99’.

Terry Crews opens up about not being able to survive simply on NFL paychecks

Terry Crews is a name that needs no introduction in the world of entertainment. The 55-year-old is known for his role in the movie ‘The Expendables and the TV series ‘Brooklyn 99’. But did you know that he was once a linebacker and defensive end in the NFL? Terry Crews played in the league back in the 90s, when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1991. But he recently stated that he would have made more working in a fast-food chain than playing in the NFL.

According to an article by CNBC, during a recent episode of the Armchair Podcast, Terry Crews opened up about the financial struggle he faced during his NFL career. The 55-year-old spent five years as a professional footballer, playing for six teams in total, including the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Washington Commanders. But while being a part of the practice squad of the Packers in 1993, Terry Crews was only making $150 per week. “I would have made more money at McDonald’s. That’s the reality”, the actor said during the podcast. The minimum wage for a worker was $4.25 dollars back in 1993. Crews would have made $170 if he worked for 40 hours per week. 

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And even after his NFL sting, Terry Crews still struggled financially for a long period.

The actor overcame a lot of financial hardships

After his stint in the NFL, Crews moved to Los Angeles with his wife to make a career out of acting. During an interview with CNBC in 2018, the actor talked about how he would rely on loans that one of his former teammates would give him. But after his teammate stopped lending him money, the 55-year-old worked as a sweeper in a factory, earning $8 dollars per hour. This was the turning point in his life and later went on to work as a security guard for movie and television studios. This made him $12 dollars per hour, and he grew closer and closer to the world of entertainment. Since then. Terry Crews has appeared in several TV series and movies, in an acting career spanning over 24 years.

Today, the actor enjoys a comfortable life. And he credits this success to a simple mindset: “People make money, but if they don’t have any equity or honor, it all falls away- and that sounds real existential or spiritual, but it is for real.

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