There is no denying the fact that professional football in America is a money-spinning business. Revenues from the 2018-2019 NFL season exceeded the $16 billion mark, representing a 5% growth over the previous season. These numbers are expected to keep growing with a 2027 revenue target of $25 billion.
It is not just the owners of the various NFL franchises that benefit from this gold mine. A significant percentage also filters down to the NFL football players in the form of contract signings, bumper pay packages, and endorsement deals. Some of the wealthiest sportsmen today ply their trade in the National Football League.
These NFL stars have a lifestyle on par with their elevated status: luxurious homes and the inevitable supercar garage. For many of them, it is the ultimate indulgence. Here’s a list of NFL stars who made it big and are not afraid to show it off in the form of exotic automobiles …all except one.
16 Earl Thomas - McLaren 600LT
Earl Thomas became a free agent after he left the Seattle Seahawks and then in March 2019 just before the League opened, his luck turned and he signed a massive four-year $55 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. That should help sustain his supercar passion. His garage includes the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster and more recently, the widely acclaimed McLaren 600LT.
15 Brandon Marshall - Porsche 911 GT3
The American Football Wide Receiver once made a bet with Antonio Brown that he would surrender his beloved Porsche if Brown managed to get more receiving yards than him. Well, he lost the bet, but Brown kindly let him keep the car and told him he could donate the financial equivalent to a charity instead.
14 Marshawn Lynch - Lamborghini Aventador
Marshawn plied his trade with the Seattle Seahawks as a Running Back for most of his career. Tough as a bull, he keeps up the intimidating appearance off-field with his almost 700 bhp V12 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster. This naturally-aspirated supercar can accelerate to 60 mph from a standing start in less than 3 seconds.
13 Julio Jones – Ferrari 458 Spyder
Julio Jones plays for the Atlanta Falcons and has amassed more receiving yards than any other player since he entered the League in 2011. He has also made some fortune, giving him ample resources to indulge his love of fast cars. One of the more striking cars in his collection is this Ferrari 458 Spyder, with custom livery and premium Fogiarto wheels.
12 Aaron Rodgers – Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
Aaron started out with college football in California where he set several career passing records before he got selected during the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He has enjoyed a distinguished professional career and when he’s not playing football, he keeps his adrenaline levels up by taking the occasional ride in his red SLS AMG performance car.
11 Amari Cooper – BMW i8
The Dallas Cowboy sure knows how to stage a grand entrance. He is known to regularly turn up for training in this $112,000 plug-in hybrid sportscar. BMW recently announced that it will pull the plug on the production of the i8 in April 2020. We're not sure how Amari feels about that.
10 Michael Strahan – Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Michael has always been very vocal about his love for flashy automobiles. His collection includes a Porsche Carrera GT, Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, and a McLaren Senna he purchased as a birthday gift for himself. One of his favorite cars though is this orange Porsche 911 GT3 RS - a car he described as the best for everyday drivability.
9 Tom Brady – Aston Martin DB11
In 2017, Aston Martin decided to exploit Brady’s fame by partnering with him to develop a limited edition $360,000 Aston Martin Convertible. The company did not give him any of the 12 cars made but we are certain Tom wasn’t too bothered. His luxurious car garage already includes an Aston Martin, the elegant DB11.
8 Frank Gore – Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead
Frank Gore is a 16-year veteran of the NFL, having played for such clubs such as San Francisco 49ers and, more recently, the Buffalo Bulls. In November 2019, he became the third all-time leading rusher in the League history. When he's not playing, he lets his flashy automobiles do the talking for him, especially this Phantom Drophead with a custom all-black interior and 26' Forgiato wheels.
7 Joe Haden – Lamborghini Aventador
Joe Haden’s net worth was recently estimated in excess of $100 million. With deep pockets like that, the Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback can easily afford to splurge on a garage that includes 2 Rolls Royce sedans and this orange Lamborghini Aventador. He bought the Aventador to replace another Lamborghini, a white Murcielago Roadster that used to be a part of the collection.
6 Aaron Donald – Karma Revero
In 2018, Aaron signed a bumper 6-year $135million contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams. He celebrated the signing by having the exclusive Karma Revero delivered to his home. The Revero is an electric car with a back-up combustion engine and can cost up to $140,000 with options but we are sure Aaron didn’t break a sweat while signing the check!
5 Pat O’Donnell – McLaren 570S
Pat is a Punter for the Chicago Bears and is often sighted in his sleek grey McLaren coupe. The British sportscar is the entry model in the McLaren Sport Series lineup but still packs some serious punch and can do the 0 – 60 mph sprint in just over 3 seconds. It also has enough creature comforts for it to be enjoyed as a daily driver.
4 Odelle Beckham Jr – Rolls Royce Cullinan
When you're an NFL superstar, there is always the urge to take advantage of the premium pay package that comes with the stardom. That is exactly what Odelle, or OBJ, as he’s commonly known, did when he acquired a heavily customized Rolls Royce Cullinan. He even had the famous ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ emblem replaced by a figurine of himself.
3 Antonio Brown – Rolls Royce Wraith
As a Wide Receiver, he played for clubs such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots. At a point, Antonio Brown was the highest-paid wide-receiver in the NFL, and he had a car garage that fully reflected this status. He caused quite a stir when he showed up for training in this gaudy Rolls Royce that sported a galactic-themed wrap.
2 Cam Newton - Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
The Carolina Panthers quarterback satisfied his need for speed by acquiring this veritable Ferrari powerhouse. The supercar boasts more than 700 bhp of output from its 6.3L naturally-aspirated V12 engine - more than enough for serious tarmac fun. In 2018, a dump truck collided with his Ferrari, but luckily for him, the damage was so slight it did not even warrant a police report.
1 Alfred Morris – Mazda 626
There is always the odd one out, and nothing better illustrates that fact than this picture of NFL star Morris and his beloved Mazda 626, affectionately named "Bentley." He bought the 1991 model car in 2010 for just $2 and has stuck with it even though he has raked in millions in NFL earnings. In 2013, Mazda offered to refurbish the car, giving it a new lease of life and prolonging its lifespan by several more years.