Who would’ve thought that making more than $100 million while playing in the NFL could be such a burden?
Odell Beckham Jr., a Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowl receiver, has gone viral after sharing the supposed struggles that come with earning big bucks over the course of his career.
Beckham, a former first-round draft pick who rose to stardom with the New York Giants, lamented his lack of financial literacy during an appearance on The Pivot podcast that was recorded in October yet went viral last week.
“I’ve always explained this to people, bro, you give somebody a five-year, $100-million contract — what is it really?” the 33-year-old said. “It’s five years for 60 (million). You’re getting taxed. Do the math, that’s 12 a year that you have to spend, use, save, invest, flaunt, whatever.
“’I’mma buy a car, I’mma give my momma a house.’ Everything costs money. So, if you’re spending $4 million a year, that’s really $40 million over five years, eight a year.”
Beckham continued, shooting down the notion that it was the sort of money that many would say would last a lifetime.
“Now, you start breaking down the numbers and it’s like that’s a five-year span of where you’re getting $8 million. Can you make that last forever? And you always hear the people who ain’t us and ain’t be in the position, like, ‘Oh that would last a lifetime.’ Yeah, this job I sacrificed my whole life for, they are giving me that.
“I didn’t ask for the certain dollar amount or whatever. But we weren’t taught about no financial literacy … We weren’t taught this skill.”
How much did OBJ earn?
According to Spotrac, Beckham earned almost $102 million over his 10 NFL seasons.
After completing his rookie contract, the star receiver signed a five-year, $90-million extension with the Giants – including a $20-million signing bonus and almost $41 million guaranteed.
He was traded to the Browns in 2019, spending two years in Cleveland before being waived by the team during the 2021 season and joining the Rams. That season, Los Angeles won the Super Bowl — although Beckham tore his ACL during the game.
He returned to the field in 2023, signing a one-year $15-million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. He then joined the Miami Dolphins in 2024, but was waived after playing nine games.
Beckham hasn’t played since — however, he has been training for a potential return to the league.
Over his career, Beckham has recorded 575 receptions for 7,987 yards and 59 touchdowns.