Some players are a little too broke to handle a lockout

The NFLPA probably hates this story, but here's a little anecdotal evidence that there are players in the NFL who, financially speaking, absolutely cannot handle a lockout.

Tim McManus at Philadelphia Sports Daily writes about some broke Eagles players, and how protecting money isn't always as easy as you might think. A snippet:

Despite warnings from the NFLPA, there are players on the Eagles who are financially ill-equipped for the looming lockout. Brandon Graham is not one of those people. Thanks to a first-round contract that reportedly guarantees him $14 million, as well as the guidance of a trustworthy management team, the former Michigan Wolverine is set up for long-term wealth despite short-term hurdles.

This makes him attractive to the needy and the greedy seeking some liquid – including his own teammates. By Graham’s count, at least two fellow Eagles have asked him for substantial loans to get them through the lockout.

The most he’s gotten hit up for?

“100K,” said Graham.

“They try not to make it awkward. They’ll come to you like they’re joking, but they’re serious. They’re trying to feel you out, to see what you’ll say.”

It's a good read, if you've got a couple of minutes. Here's the link (warning: the page contains an advertisement that you can't stop; so you might want to turn your speakers down).

The truth is that the NFL is just like anywhere else. There are employees there who are good at putting their money away, and there are employees who will spend whatever they make.

Athletes have a bad rap in this department, and perhaps deservedly so, but you can't tell me that you don't know people who are bad with money. Having more money isn't a solution to that problem, either. It only intensifies it.

The really sad part is that the impending lockout is going to make things exponentially worse. Not only are the broke players going to be living without regular paychecks, but there are a lot of possible scenarios out there where they get taken advantage of by unscrupulous loan sharks and other people looking to take advantage -- the same people that helped them get into trouble in the first place.

Gracias, Pro Football Talk.

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