Yesterday’s exceptional Sports Illustrated story penned by Brian Burnsed is a must read for every talented athlete way before they start what could eventually become a very lucrative career in professional sports.
The story- Away from the NFL spotlight, financial ruin drove Clinton Portis to the brink of murder – takes us behind the scenes and into the depths of depression and despair that too many young, rich athletes succumb to when they don’t manage their money wisely. If you haven’t read it, please do so. And if you know a gifted young athlete with a shot at making the pros, please share it with them.
Sadly, it’s a tale that is often repeated.
Ed Butowsky in ESPN’s 30 for 30 – Broke Montage
http://www.edbutowsky.com/ Ed Butowsky stars in ESPN’s recent 30 For 30 documentary “Broke”. This is a montage of the show. Follow @edbutowsky Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ebutowskypub
Mike Tyson, who earned over $400 million in the ring, once reportedly spent $2 million on a bath tub. He suffered the same fate as Portis. As did Allen Iverson, Vince Young, Dennis Rodman, John Daly, Diego Maradona, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Antoine Walker, Bobby Orr, Lenny Dykstra, Johnny Unitas, Deuce McAllister, Rollie Fingers, Mark Brunell, Kenny Anderson, Evander Holyfield, Warren Sapp, Latrell Sprewell, Scottie Pippen, Marion Jones, Lawrence Taylor, Sheryl Swoopes, Travis Henry, Rulon Gardner, Helio Castroneves, Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, Eddie Curry, Terrell Owens and countless others.
For various reasons, they’ve all seen fortunes disappear like Rell.
And this phenomenon is nothing new. The great Jesse Owens was once forced to file for bankruptcy three years after his triumphant performance in the 1936 Olympic Games.
Portis’ story touches on elements that run through many of these sordid tales: from exploitation to being profligate, to having a false sense of indestructibility to being naive, from living a life of excess to wanting to please too many others.
ESPN 30 For 30: “Broke” (Don’t Trust These B*tches)
Just a clip from the ESPN documentary, 30 For 30 “Broke” which shows you that you can’t trust just about all these women, neither can you be an idiot with your money if you are rich.
And rest assured, Portis is not the only ex-athlete who has considered killing the people that squandered his fortune. But hopefully he can share his story with others in the hope of bringing some awareness.
When you are young and rich, you are a target, not only of stickup kids, but wolves wearing $3,000 business suits who promise to manage your business and investment portfolio.
We’re glad to hear that Portis is climbing out of his dark tunnel. Hopefully, his story can serve a purpose and inspire others who find themselves flush with millions to live and spend wisely.
But as history has shown, and it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, black or white, those who aren’t cognizant and careful of the pitfalls ahead of time are bound to make the same mistakes.
