Being drafted into a professional sports league like the NBA or NFL is far from easy, and while the money certainly makes the hard work worth it, there are risks that come from engaging in such high-level athleticism . From avoiding  overzealous fans to sustaining career-changing injuries on the clock, professional basketball players are all too familiar with the ups and downs that come with life in the fast lane. Since was drafted ninth overall by the Utah Jazz in 2023, Taylor Hendricks has been making his presence felt on the team and keeping himself laser-focused on helping his team achieve success. While his positive reputation and attitude is well known amongst coaches and contemporaries, fans will sadly be seeing a lot less of the Florida native this season after he sustained a gruesome injury during a game on Oct. 28. What Is Taylor Hendricks’ Net Worth? (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) Taylor Hendricks was born on Nov. 22, 2003 in Florida, where he attended Windermere...

September is one of the most exciting months of the year for football fanatics as the NFL ramps things up again for the season. Already there have been injuries , athletes removed from teams and drama between players, coaches and viewers, but that’s nothing new in the world of professional sports . In particular, the Miami Dolphins have been getting a lot of attention after their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, sustained a concussion in a game against the Buffalo Bills earlier this month. While he won’t be placed on the injured reserve just yet, coach Mike McDaniel spoke with ESPN about how the team is handling the situation. Just one of the measures they’ve taken amid Tagovailoa’s recovery is signing Tyler Huntley, a QB from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, to their roster. What’s Next For Tua Tagovailoa? (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) As their star QB focuses on healing, McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are standing behind him. There’s been discourse among...

In 1972, Thom Gatewood was captain of the University of Notre Dame’s football team , even earning himself a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. Little did the athlete know that by 2020, his future grandson, AJ Dillon (also known as Quadzilla), would be playing professionally in the NFL , even breaking regularly breaking records in the league. Unfortunately, it was confirmed on Aug. 28 that the 26-year-old won’t be joining the Green Bay Packers on the field for the 2024 season due to a neck injury. On the bright side, this period of recovery will give Dillon more time at home with his wife, Gabrielle Toonen, and their son, Algiers Dillon III (or Trey), who shares a birthday with his dad. After developing his skills at Lawrence Academy, a private boarding school in Groton, Massachusetts, the Baltimore-born running back was off to Boston College. Dillon became the team’s all-time rushing leader with 1,589, 1,108 and 1,685 yards in his three years respectively. As for touchdowns,...

Football may be a dangerous sport, but it’s one of America’s favorites; this is just part of why NFL players are paid so handsomely . Anyone hoping to be drafted must be three years out of high school, giving them time to mature mentally and physically before joining their heroes on the field. Maryland’s Tavon Austin was a 22-year-old standout from West Virginia University when he joined the St. Louis Rams in 2013. In the decade following that, he played nine NFL seasons with five different teams before announcing his retirement in August 2024. Thanks to his shorter stature, speed and skill, Austin became known as the “Pocket Rocket.” While the second half of his time in the league was less glamorous than the first, the Baltimore native will always be remembered for his accomplishments. His love for the sport was obvious even in high school, at which time he was twice named the Maryland Consensus Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Austin set state records for career points...

With less than a month until the NFL season officially begins, football enthusiasts are already mentally crafting their dream fantasy leagues. Last-minute additions and trades are still being made amongst the teams, including one new addition to the Washington Commanders that some were surprised to see. After six years away from playing in the NFL, Martavis Bryant’s net worth isn’t as high as many of his contemporaries. Still, with the right attitude and support system, the 32-year-old is confident he can make a comeback after a bumpy history of being suspended from other teams over drug use . Bryant grew up in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, where he developed a love for sports early on. He ran track in high school and was a standout football player, earning him first-team all-state as a senior. After grad, Bryant spent one year at the Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia to pass NCAA initial eligibility standards before heading off to Clemson University in 2011. The 2010s...

Some of the world’s biggest athletes have climbed their way to the top, not just off their stellar abilities on the court, but their prowess in the business world as well. The secret to athletes keeping their legacy going is making money moves outside of their sports careers. Nowadays, athletes having a business reputation is just as important as having a championship title to their name. Smart investments, sponsorships and partnerships go a long way in securing the bag long after their playing days are over. Between money from their sports salaries, fame as elite athletes and their many business ventures, today’s sports figures are all about stretching their wealth to build major business empires. In case you didn’t know, here are some former and current sports stars who have defied the odds to make a fortune beyond sports:

Racism in sports has a long history of silencing, white privilege, and racist tactics used to oppress Black people who strive to dismantle the crooked systems built to discourage our efforts in speaking out. As seen with Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protests and Milwaukee Buck’s recent strike, sports and reality do not exist in separate worlds and players are looking for the support they need to exercise their legal rights as Black Americans. In an effort to create safe spaces for Black individuals in sports, a newly-established non-profit organization called Advancement of Blacks in Sports, Inc. has been founded to advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for Black people in sports. View this post on Instagram A post shared by We Are ABIS (@weareabis) According to a press release , founder Gary Charles has leveraged his relationships with high-profile figures such as civil rights attorney Ben Crump, former NBA player Tracy McGrady, Chuck D. of Public Enemy, and many more to...

When Kevin Durant isn’t sinking threes on the court, he’s building out his portfolio with some lucrative investments, partnerships, and sponsorships. Now, the NBA player is adding “designer” to his resumé with his new investments in the headphone company, Master & Dynamic, according to The Verge. Master & Dynamic adds to Durant’s portfolio that already includes life insurance startup, Ethos, which is backed by celebrities like Will Smith, plus Robert Downey Jr. and Jay-Z’s, Roc Nation. Durant has also invested in Acorns, Postmates, and The Players’ Tribune . Durant told the Verge that his investment in Master & Dynamic comes from his love of music. “Music is such a huge part of my life,” Durant said to The Verge. “That their products have become an important part of my day-to-day, and I’m looking forward to some amazing collaboration between our teams.” Although the partnership is new, the company has already worked with his mother, Wanda Durant, for a feature on their website about...