Not every NFL player retires into the sunset with just a highlight reel and a sore back. Some of them take their fame, their name, and a bit of hustle and turn it into a money-making machine.
From fast food chains to media empires, these former players proved that life after football can be just as lucrative—if not more so—than their time on the gridiron. Whether it’s business, branding, or being good at staying in the spotlight, these guys found a way to keep the checks coming in.
20. Vince Young
He may not have had a long NFL career, but he flipped his name into endorsement deals and a steakhouse. The brand of Vince Young still holds weight in Texas.
19. Michael Strahan
After terrorizing quarterbacks, he became a daytime TV darling and a branding juggernaut. Strahan is now a business-savvy media powerhouse.
18. Brett Favre
Favre turned his folksy charm into a steady stream of endorsements and product deals. Wrangler commercials are just the tip of the money iceberg.
17. Marshawn Lynch
Beast Mode became more than a nickname—it became a brand. From apparel to ownership stakes, Marshawn knows how to cash in.
16. Deion Sanders
Prime Time has always known how to market himself, and he’s done it masterfully post-retirement. Coaching, commercials, and charisma have made him a business magnet.
15. Peyton Manning
Peyton never met a brand partnership he didn’t like—and they all seemed to work. His post-NFL empire includes commercials, TV gigs, and even pizza chains.
14. Tony Romo
He went from underdog QB to the voice of the NFL in the broadcast booth. Now he’s a media figure with a golden contract and a smooth delivery.
13. Emmitt Smith
The league’s all-time leading rusher now leads in real estate and business ventures. Emmitt made sure his legacy had a financial footprint.
12. Terrell Owens
Controversial on the field, but he’s kept his name in headlines with business plays and personal branding. T.O. always finds a way to stay relevant—and profitable.
11. Drew Brees
Brees has invested in food chains, fitness franchises, and media. He’s built a well-rounded portfolio that screams “smart money.”
10. Jerome Bettis
The Bus keeps on rolling with a logistics company and business endeavors. He turned his nickname into a legitimate business brand.
9. Russell Wilson
He’s still playing, but his off-field ventures are already thriving. Fashion, media, and production are all part of the growing Wilson empire.
8. Roger Staubach
Staubach was one of the first to turn football fame into a business fortune. His real estate empire set the standard for post-NFL success.
7. Calvin Johnson
Megatron made moves in the cannabis industry and wellness space. He’s turned a quiet demeanor into big-time entrepreneurial energy.
6. Tom Brady
The GOAT leveraged his name into TB12, a health brand, and countless endorsements. Retirement just gave him more time to expand his empire.
5. Rob Gronkowski
Gronk brings fun to everything he does, and companies love that. From energy drinks to appearances, he’s built a wildly profitable persona.
4. Eli Manning
Eli combined humor and charm into a post-career media wave. He’s quietly built an empire of content and business deals with his brother, Peyton.
3. Cam Newton
Cam’s style and charisma have translated into brand collaborations and business ventures. His fashion sense helped elevate his public profile and his bottom line.
Read more: 15 Athletes Who Turned Endorsements Into Empires
2. John Elway
Elway didn’t just stay with football—he dominated car dealerships and executive roles. He used his name to become a major figure in Denver’s business scene.
Read more: 15 NFL Stars Who Made Genius Business Decisions
1. Troy Aikman
Troy built a second career in broadcasting and then pivoted into health drinks and business investments. He’s quietly become one of the most financially savvy ex-QBs in the game.
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