by Lyle Fargas

Created on: January 15, 2007   Last Updated: November 09, 2008

While some players stand out with outrageously high contracts, I don't think the typical football player makes an unjustifiably high salary.

When you look at the big picture, football players are people that get payed to play a game. They enjoy the opportunity to live their dream and in the case of most players, will never really have to work again after their career ends. Despite this and the feelings of jealousy that those simply-put facts may cause, football players' salaries can be justified.

First of all, they are doing something that very few people could realistically do. Typically, when an occupation gets more and more exclusive, the pay jumps higher and higher.

Next, it has to be understood that these players were not just placed in the position that they're in (with the possible exception of Eli Manning) - they had to work and earn their way to the level that they are at. Football players have to start from a very young age to develop their talent and have to deal with difficult two-a-days and year-round workouts for much of their youth. If they are good enough to stick out in high school and get noticed by a university, they then have to be good enough to stick out at that university to get noticed by an NFL team.

Finally, a player may have been fortunate enough to be selected by an NFL team. If he was a top-notch player, he may have received a signing bonus, which is guaranteed money. Otherwise, a player may receive a small bonus and a short, non-guaranteed contract.

It's a struggle to survive in the NFL. With the addition of new players to the league every year via draft or otherwise, someone is losing their job. Careers are short and can end abruptly. With unguaranteed contracts, players can be justified if they desire a large salary.

Their bodies are beaten and battered and they need to take advantage of the time they have in the league. Not all players are able to live lives without some kind of pain after their careers are over, so maybe more will follow Tiki Barber's lead and get out while they are still healthy and were able to set themselves up for the rest of their lives.

Players need to take advantage of their situation. Some are greedy and take obscene amounts of money that they would never be able to reasonably use in their lifetimes. Generally, the rest seem to take what is given to them and try to set themselves and their families up for the rest of their lives. They were given a rare opportunity and they can't be blamed for enjoying the benefits.

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