For athletes like Le’Veon Bell and Kyrie Irving, free agency is about joining a team that fits their playing ability, has the most upside to compete for a championship, and who offers the most money. Considered high-caliber players in their own league, these athletes are not worrying about not getting signed by a team. For athletes like Vincent Brown, free agency is about budgeting so he has enough money to get by until he signs with a team, thinking a team might not sign him and making sure he has a job for himself in case he doesn’t play this upcoming season. Brown a 2015 undrafted free agent (who had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Montreal Alouettes, and is taking part in the second season of the Your Call Football league) understands he might not have a playing career as long as Bell or Irving and is okay with this reality. The reason being, Brown has prepared for this situation as a free agent.
“Once you’re released, you don’t know who will call you …,” said Brown.
During an interview with Brown on The SportLit Podcast, Brown suggested tips free agents should follow: spend money on the necessities, learn how to say “no”, keep yourself busy, rely on the support of your inner circle, network, and prepare for the transition of not being a professional athlete.
Understanding his predicament, Brown has tried to set himself up for success as a free agent. Instead of blowing his money, Brown meticulously watches his spending habits. He spends money on the necessities. “I’m very cheap. … If it’s not food, gas, or a phone bill then I’m not necessarily spending money on it,” said Brown.
When Brown is not playing football, you can find him in a classroom in Miami, FL teaching. Aware that bills do not wait for him to get signed by a team, Brown became a substitute teacher until he joined a team. The job allows him to have a flexible schedule. When it’s time for him to leave his hometown to play football, Brown can do so with no issues. Once his season is over Brown can pick back up where he left off with teaching.
To Brown, teaching allows him to stay busy. To Brown staying busy during an offseason is important. It allows Brown to work on something and remove the thought of wanting to go to the mall and shop. In addition to keeping him busy, substitute teaching has helped Brown to land a full-time teaching job once his playing days are over.
“At the school that I work at the principal wants me to go full-time and be a permanent teacher there just because I’ve had a positive influence on the students,” said Brown.
Getting released from an organization can be mentally, emotionally, and physically draining to an athlete.Being released is similar to an individual getting laid off from a nine-to-five. To play a sport at the highest level requires an athlete to dedicate a lot of time perfecting his or her craft. Just like any other job, being a professional athlete requires athletes to be away from their loved ones, work on holidays, and travel often. When an individual gets terminated from his or her job one might feel lost because of the uncertainty of what lies ahead. When an athlete is released and is trying to figure out how he or she got released, one might feel various emotions. During this time, it is common for people of any profession to rely on the people in their inner circle to help them during this period in their life.
According to Brown, the support from loved ones is important for an athlete when he or she gets released and is now a free agent:
“Rely on your support – you know your family — to help you get through those tough times. That’s definitely going to be important because that feeling of being released and let go isn’t a good one {Brown laughs his comment off} – it’s very drug out. Often times your body is beat up from practice or whatever — leaving it all out there. The plane ride home is often long {Brown laughs again}. I would just say – just being honest – it is difficult. You just have to rely on your family — the people around you – your loved ones to help get you through.”
Athletes having family and friends in their corner for support can be a good thing. But, it has been recommended that athletes be careful when selecting the individuals they keep around them. One reason being, is because family and friends have a tendency to ask their relative or friend who is an athlete for money. In the NPR article “ESPN’s ‘Broke’ Looks At The Many Ways Athletes Lose Their Money”, written by Linda Holmes, Holmes mentions a story shared in the documentary “Broke” about former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar estimating that he supported between 25 to 50 families. In the same article, Holmes points out a quote found in the documentary from Arizona State University’s head football coach Herm Edwards. Edwards stated: “It’s hard to tell people that you love ‘no.’”
When people ask Brown for money, Brown has no problem with telling people “no”. He understands he can’t help everyone, especially as a free agent.
As a professional athlete, Brown understands the situation he is in right now. He understands he may get opportunities that aren’t afforded to just anyone. He understands this especially when it comes to talking business with CEOs of companies. Athletes like Stephen Curry, Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Odell Beckham Jr., understand their situation too. They know if they want to do business or is interested in working with a company, right now is the best time to do it as an active athlete. The opportunity to network and become an entrepreneur is easier for athletes because of their name and wealth.
Brown appreciates the success and opportunities football has afforded him, but he also knows football doesn’t last forever.
“I understand football is something that I do, but football doesn’t define me as a person,” said Brown.
Brown
Already familiar with the transition of working a regular nine-to-five, when the time comes Brown is prepared to trade in his cleats for a classroom full of students.