When The NFL Lifestyle Crashes
June 2nd, 2013
There are all sorts of horror stories out there about former NFL players, who shortly after their careers are over are scraping the bottom of the career barrel, having trouble making the transition from football to civilian life when the fat checks of the NFL quit rolling in.
That happened with former Bucs defensive end Stylez White. Just three years ago, White was the Bucs starting right defensive end. His contract was not renewed by the Bucs, and White went from living the high life to working for $9 an hour, writes Joe’s good friend Rock Riley of Bright House Sports Network.
“I was doing it all in a hotel in Ohio,” said White. “Front desk, banquet setup, everything and I realized it wasn’t for me.”
White was trying to figure out what to do with his life after he was let go by the Buccaneers following the 2010 season.
“I was the rap video,” said White, who loves to have a good time but can’t blow money the way he used to. “I was a bottle service guy. It gets old and expensive. There’s no way to teach you to curb your spending since the paychecks aren’t coming in anymore. You gotta learn. I did.”
Per Riley, White is trying to become a personal trainer and hopes to open a gym in St. Petersburg soon.
What’s sad about this is this happened to a smart guy. White, if you have ever met him, is not dumb. Sadly, White’s story is too common, despite many, many programs the NFL hosts for players from the moment they get into the league to tutor them in how to not get caught in this ugly trap.
It’s a good thing that White has learned to adjust to civilian life. A lot of guys don’t and their stories have a much sadder ending.



















Now that
Roscoe Parrish, Sammie Stroughter, Michael Smith, Preston Parker, Jordan Shipley, Arrelious Benn and LeQuan Lewis all were in the mix trying to become a beloved punt and/or kick returner for the Bucs last season.

