thefastestone wrote:
let's just say, I'd rather be a top track athlete than a top nfl athlete. The track has more of a history and prestige.
Track and football are my two favorite sports so I can see both sides to this argument.
Yes, it may be more prestigious to say you're an Olympic athlete but football gets more notoriety and the potential payoff is greater. Unfortunately money isn't guaranteed, unless it's a signing or veteran's roster bonus and the average NFL career is over in three years. This doesn't even include the 1500 or so players who cycle through the rosters during the off season who never accrue a season's worth of service.
The payoff for an NFL undrafted free agent is relatively modest and rife with pitfalls. Players only get paid their contract when on the active roster during the actual games. So if a player gets released two games into the contract, they only receive 2/17ths of their salary. When a player gets injured and is released there is an injury settlement involved. So IF Bracy makes the active roster (top 53) and stays injury free the whole season he would make $450,000 plus a few extra thousand for OTAs and training camp. IF he makes the practice squad (next 10) the salary is dramatically reduced, $117,000. So in one year he could potentially make a few thousand to 450K.
My guess is IF he makes the roster, he won't be a high priority player. Players on the bottom 10 of the active roster and the practice squad live in constant fear of getting cut because hardly any resources (money and draft pick) have been invested in them. GMs are constantly looking to improve or shore up a weakness and won't hesitate to cut a low level veteran or rookie for another player that gets released or an injured or suspended player who returns. Every year the NFL is littered with stories of players who found out they made the 53 man roster in the morning and find out by the afternoon they've been cut because the GM picked up another player from a different team.
Let's hope he doesn't get a serious injury in practice or during a game.
Players blow out a knee or Achilles even in practice more often than you think. There is track shape and football shape. Both are two distinct and equally difficult fitness levels. The cutting, changing of direction, max effort, and hitting during practice and in games can't be mimicked. Remember, Devon Allen blew his ACL out twice while playing football for Oregon.
But, hey kudos for him for giving it a try. He's already an Olympian and probably wants to accomplish other goals in life. Hopefully he can make a team and parlay it into an NFL career.
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2016/9/3/12748522/2016-nfl-practice-squad-breakdown-rules-size-eligibility-salaryhttp://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2015/05/nfl_draft_2015_whats_the_difference_between_an_und.htmlhttp://www.nationalfootballpost.com/what-is-an-injury-settlement/