How do CFL players make a living?

[Fx45]

Disclaimer: I know nothing about football except what I hear on sports talk radio. In no way this is meant to be offensive - this is a real curiousity of mine.

So my question is -- how do CFL players "survive" off the salaries they make. When an allstar player makes < $150,000, why would anyone play in the CFL? I know $150k is a lot of money in general career terms, but it's not long term. Probably, what 20% of it goes to agents and trainers, and then you're left with maybe 100K. Which still sounds like a lot except your career is what -- 10 to 12 years (if you're lucky and injury free?).

Big league sports like hockey, basketball, NFL, MLB people generally over a mill and with the right budgeting you can save some of that money and when the game's over you can keep living off that cash or opening up a small restaurant or something.

But at CFL salaries, what do you do when you reach that career ending injury or your legs just can't run as fast anymore? Do they go back to school and train for a career?

[MrBurns]

They sell hot dogs in the stands between halves.

Seriously though, there's families earning 40-50K a year, they work three times as long so I guess it evens out.

[NDman]

They sell hot dogs in the stands between halves.

Seriously though, there's families earning 40-50K a year, they work three times as long so I guess it evens out.

Difference is, their (CFL players) careers mostly end when they hit 40. I don't think the players future are all *that* secure after their playing days are over

[OceanDrop]

My high school science teacher was a former CFL player, and he was young when he taught us (I'd say early to mid-40's). Another CFL player currently owns the company that my fiance worked at, which was a recruitment firm. Another one lives on my fiance's street, but I'm not sure what he does for a living...

[mannyb]

There's a former Toronto Argonauts who is working as a car salesman in a GM dealership in Mississauga. I'm wonder how much longer he'll be working there.

[Fx45]

Difference is, their (CFL players) careers mostly end when they hit 40. I don't think the players future are all *that* secure after their playing days are over

That's what I'm referring to -- in Vancouver, I'm not even sure if you can pay off your mortgage by the time you hit 40 (here 50 year old houses can go as high as $700-$900K.).

You'd pretty much need to find a job as soon as you're retired from the game...which might not be that easy considering you've spent the last 10 years playing football and would have to compete with kids for a job.

[CSK'sMom]

Most, if not all, of the rank and file type players (not the big names) have regular off season jobs. One of our kid's teachers is married to a TiCat player. He works a "normal" job that accomodates his football season. Other players take coaching jobs during their off season with leagues like the OVFL and SCOFL. Our son is actually positionally coached by a Roughrider player...

[ricoboxing]

in highschool, one of my teachers and football coaches was an ex player. almost all these guys have off season jobs, and are already prepared for life after football.

[phomp]

After retirement, most of them get jobs.

[belowzeros]

the NFL actually snatched up quite a few CFL players just recently. well maybe not a handful I think I read about 2 or 3 so far....good for them that's a nice payraise if they can stay healthy.

[sexpuppet6000]

http://www.impawards.com/1999/posters/deuce_bigalow_male_gigolo_ver2.jpg

[Shimso]

the NFL actually snatched up quite a few CFL players just recently. well maybe not a handful I think I read about 2 or 3 so far....good for them that's a nice payraise if they can stay healthy.

4 from the Argos, 1 from BC and I think I'm forgetting some. Dorsey & Wake will likely see some playing time there, I'm not too sure about the others though.

[gordholio]

I think you can "survive" on $70-80,000 a year.
After football, they get real jobs.

[rabbit]

3 from the BC Lions were signed to NFL contracts. Whether or not all the players signed will stay in the NFL is another question.

[flamingo]

Some of the previous Ottawa Rough Riders used to work as bouncers at the local bars in the off-season, or even during the regular season for God's sake.

[nano]

the owner of the Mr Sub on Milner @ McCowan is a retired CFL player.

[KorruptioN]

Our son is actually positionally coached by a Roughrider player...

Thanks for sharing this valuable piece of information, as always!

[bryan35]

Many have college or university degrees.

[shannn]

I think that is the risk you take if you want to be a pro athlete...you either make it big, or you don't make it at all

They should plan better if they know they are not the next Brette Favre, Peyton Manning, or Larry Fitzgerald

[sfu_lifer]

Most of these guys know they need real jobs after their career is over.
I met this HUGE lineman who works as a Sony rep a few years after he stopped playing in the CFL.
Very nice man despite the intimidating size :cheesygri

I remember reading a story a few years ago in the paper about a CFL player who works as a nurse during the off-season. These are pretty much regular joes who are super athletic but didn't quite hit the lottery being in the NFL. I went to a local Safeway a few years ago and right next to me was a BC Lion super sweaty and still in his upper uniform pushing a shopping kart. That was an odd sight.

[shannn]

Most of these guys know they need real jobs after their career is over.
I met this HUGE lineman who works as a Sony rep a few years after he stopped playing in the CFL.
Very nice man despite the intimidating size :cheesygri

I remember reading a story a few years ago in the paper about a CFL player who works as a nurse during the off-season.

+1

There are lots of similar stories

-Kurt Warner was bagging groceries before he joined the Rams
-one of the running backs for the Denver Broncos was working at a Cell Phone booth at a mall

But a player as a nurse, eh? Wow...that musta been an interesting place to work at lol

[rabbit]

Ricky "Frito Lay" Ray.

[MVP1]

Some of them have a decent education and pursue a career in it after they retire and some just open up businesses. A lot of them are from the US as well, they go home and work there.

They still make a decent living for working only a few months of the year.