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After losing out on millions of dollars, one NFL player found out that guaranteed money isn't always guaranteed.
Time for a thread
Time for a thread
1) Gerald McCoy, drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 NFL draft, spent the first 9 years of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A cap casualty in 2018, McCoy was picked up by the division rival Carolina Panthers on a one-year prove-it deal.
A cap casualty in 2018, McCoy was picked up by the division rival Carolina Panthers on a one-year prove-it deal.
2) McCoy played well in Carolina, parlaying his performance into a 3yr, $18.3M contract with the Cowboys.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as well in Dallas.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as well in Dallas.
3) Before McCoy even had a chance to get acquainted with his new teammates, he tore his right quad, a season-ending injury.
You can watch a video of the injury below.
It's not gruesome, just sad. https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1295551067384614912
You can watch a video of the injury below.
It's not gruesome, just sad. https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1295551067384614912
4) Shortly after his injury, McCoy met with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones expressing a positive attitude.
He publicly voiced his intent to rehab with the team and support younger players throughout the year.
It didn’t matter, the Cowboys cut McCoy within hours.
He publicly voiced his intent to rehab with the team and support younger players throughout the year.
It didn’t matter, the Cowboys cut McCoy within hours.
5) McCoy’s contract included $9M in guaranteed money.
The issue?
McCoy can keep his $3M signing bonus, but his Cowboys contract had an injury waiver on his quad due to an extensive injury history.
This voids the remaining $6M in GTD money.
Read the contract
The issue?
McCoy can keep his $3M signing bonus, but his Cowboys contract had an injury waiver on his quad due to an extensive injury history.
This voids the remaining $6M in GTD money.
Read the contract
6) Superstars are often presented massive contracts, hearing that a large percentage is guaranteed.
McCoy is just another example that the devil is in the details.
Just ask Antonio Brown, who had ~$40M guaranteed between the Raiders and Patriots in 2019.
His payout? $158k
McCoy is just another example that the devil is in the details.
Just ask Antonio Brown, who had ~$40M guaranteed between the Raiders and Patriots in 2019.
His payout? $158k
7) The NFL is a business, and players shouldn't forget that.
Whether you’re the face of a franchise or a practice squad player, NFL teams have consistently shown us time and time again that they will do what is in their best interest.
You should always look out for yourself.
Whether you’re the face of a franchise or a practice squad player, NFL teams have consistently shown us time and time again that they will do what is in their best interest.
You should always look out for yourself.
8) The situations of Gerald McCoy and Antonio Brown are completely different, yet the same.
Professional athletes need to watch out for themselves, withhold trust in the team, and secure as much money up front as possible.
Professional athletes need to watch out for themselves, withhold trust in the team, and secure as much money up front as possible.
9) Fans shouldn't be so judgmental when a player holds out, demands a new contract, or requests to renegotaite.
NFL teams make business decisions that are in their best interest all the time, why shouldn't players?
NFL teams make business decisions that are in their best interest all the time, why shouldn't players?
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