Anyone remember Napoleon McCallum? He was a running back at Navy. He held the NCAA record for all-purpose yards. He holds the Navy record for yard rushing over a career. He was drafted by the Raiders. He played for them in 1986, then went finished his five-year commitment to the Navy. He returned to the NFL in 1990, sharing carries with Marcus Allen and, occasionally Bo Jackson. After Jackson's career-ending injury and Allen's signing with Kansas City, McCallum was a starter. So what happened?
McCallum's first regular season game where he'd be the full starter for the year was his last. It was a nationally broadcast Monday night game. McCallum only had five yards rushing so far. But he already had a touchdown, too. Then it happened. You can take a look at YouTube if you can stomach it. Ken Norton, Jr. rolled McCallum up in a tackle. But McCallum's cleat was stuck in the grass. The resulting injury almost cost McCallum his leg; it did cost him his career. His knee was hyperextended--to an almost 90-degree angle. His knee was done. The ruptured artery, torn ligaments, torn hamstring, and ripped calf threatened his leg if he didn't get treatment immediately.
Thus ended a promising career. However, McCallum had been smart. He didn't bank everything on the NFL. While he was recovering, he discovered he enjoyed graphic design. His education at Navy taught him how to start his own business and gave him the discipline to do so. He hadn't taken all his NFL earnings and blown them on half a dozen cars or gigantic houses. He moved to Henderson, Nevada and opened his own computer graphics business. Almost every casino in Vegas uses his work. At the Naval Academy, he invested not only in his body as a career option in football, but also his mind. He knew that football and the money from it wouldn't be around forever.
The recently ended lockout has hopefully taught a new generation the dangers on banking on an uncertain career in the NFL. When men in their early twenties suddenly make six- or seven-figure salaries, they don't think further ahead than how they're going to spend their signing bonuses. With the lockout and the stoppage of those paychecks, bonuses, and the delay to signing for free agency, or even signing draft picks, the money stopped. The superstars were fine. Tom Brady didn't have to declare bankruptcy. But what about last year's rookie class who were role-players and bench-warmers? Are they glad to see the end of the lockout because it means they'll be able to play again or because it means they'll be able to eat again? If it is the latter, have they learned their lesson?
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