I am participating with MSN in a project called
"The Invested Life." The program represents the launch of a series of web-based episodes that teach the fundamentals of investing to regular, everyday people. I've worked on the show for months, and I'll be engaged in the project for the rest of the year. It's been an interesting jump into the world of film making, with scripts, production schedules and all that good stuff. I've gained a newfound respect for how hard real actors and actresses actually have to work.
A guest on the show is a man named Winfred. Winfred is a former NFL athlete who found himself done with sports and trying to make sure that his wealth lasted until retirement. He made an interesting point that for many athletes, the challenge of retiring young with virtually no skill set can be a one way ticket to the poor house. As a man who is concerned about the plight of the black athlete, I constantly see men who've traded away their entire educational future in exchange for a very short and meaningless life of glamor in professional sports.
Winfred said that once he became a professional athlete and had more money than he'd ever had in his life, he was overwhelmed. Like most young people, he admits that he wasted a lot of money, spending it on things that don't keep their value. What's worse, Winfred had a financial manager who was churning his stocks (buying and selling constantly) to earn money for himself. Some fund managers make money if you are buying and selling, not if you are actually getting a good return on your investments. Many black athletes are unaware that they are being ripped off because they don't have the educational background to understand what is happening to them.
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Black Actors In Football Films
With the new NFL season now underway, we thought it was the perfect time to look at some of the actors who have donned a helmet and uniform for roles on the big screen. From Denzel Washington to Cuba Gooding Jr., Blackvoices.com has compiled a who's who of black actors who have appeared in football films.
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Black Actors In Football Films
With the new NFL season now underway, we thought it was the perfect time to look at some of the actors who have donned a helmet and uniform for roles on the big screen. From Denzel Washington to Cuba Gooding Jr., Blackvoices.com has compiled a who's who of black actors who have appeared in football films.
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Running Back
Player's name: Gale Sayers
Played by Billy Dee Williams
Film: 'Brian's Song' (2000)
Actor's Scoreboard: Williams starred opposite Diana Ross in both 'Lady Sings the Blues' and 'Mahogany,' and is best known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the original 'Star Wars' trilogy, but he gained critical acclaim for his role as Chicago Bears running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers in 'Brian's Song.' Sayers helped teammate Brian Piccolo through his struggle with cancer.
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Defensive Coordinator
Player's name: Montezuma "Monty" Monroe
Played by Jim Brown
Film: 'Any Given Sunday' (1999)
Actor's Scoreboard: Considered one of the greatest NFL players, Brown, who played only nines years as a running back for the Cleveland Browns before turning to acting, got a chance to get back on the field when he was featured as a coach in 'Any Given Sunday' with Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx.
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Quarterback
Player's name: Levander "Bird" Williams
Played by Mykelti Williamson
Film: 'Wildcats' (1986)
Actor's Scoreboard: Long before he starred opposite Tom Hanks in the Oscar-winning film 'Forrest Gump,' Williamson played a number of supporting roles in smaller films and TV series. Known as Mykel T. Williamson in the early '80s, the St. Louis native played a quarterback alongside Wesley Snipes and Goldie Hawn in the film 'Wildcats.'
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Defensive Lineman
Player's name: Julius Campbell
Played by Wood Harris
Film: 'Remember the Titans' (2000)
Actor's Scoreboard: Best known for his roles as drug kingpin Avon Barksdale in the HBO television drama 'The Wire' and Motaw in the 1994 motion picture 'Above the Rim,' Harris gained critical praise for his role as high school football player Julius Campbell in the film 'Remember the Titans.' The film also starred Denzel Washington, Donald Faison and Nicole Ari Parker.
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Defensive Lineman
Player's name: Andre Krimm
Played by Sinbad
Film: 'Necessary Roughness'
Actor's Scoreboard: Better known for his stand-up and his comedic role in the TV series 'A Different World,' Sinbad once played a college professor recruited for the defensive line in 'Necessary Roughness.'
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Defensive Lineman
Player's name: Charles Jefferson
Played by Forest Whitaker
Film: 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' (1982)
Actor's Scoreboard: Before moving into the director's chair -- and winning an Academy Award for his role as Idi Amin in 'The Last King of Scotland' -- Whitaker suited up to play opposite Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage and Anthony Edwards in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High.'
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Offensive Lineman
Player's name: Michael Oher
Played by Quinton Aaron
Film: 'The Blind Side' (2009)
Actor's Scoreboard: Based on the true story of NFL player Michael Oher, 'The Blind Side' featured Quinton Aaron in his film debut. The movie not only captured the hearts of audiences but also led to an Academy Award for co-star Sandra Bullock, who won an Oscar for best actress.
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Defensive Back
Player's name: TJ Banks
Played by Nicoye Banks
Film: 'Invincible'
Actor's Scoreboard: Based on the true story of Vince Papale, a former player for the Philadelphia Eagles, Banks played a defensive back alongside Mark Wahlberg in 'Invincible.' Earlier this year, he costarred with Matt Damon in 'Green Zone' and Wesley Snipes in 'Brooklyn's Finest.'
Black Actors In Football Films
Position: Wide Receiver
Player's name: Rod Tidwell
Played by Cuba Gooding Jr.
Film: 'Jerry Maguire' (1996)
Actor's Scoreboard: With small roles to his credit after taking a leading role in John Singleton's 'Boyz n the Hood,' Gooding refined his acting career when he played the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver who told Tom Cruise's title character to "Show me the money!" His performance led to an Academy Award for best supporting actor.
Black Actors In Football Films
One of the things I liked about Winfred's approach to managing his financial situation is that rather than simply finding an investment advisor he could trust, he went after one who could teach him about his money. By being empowered enough to know how to manage his own money, he didn't have to worry about anyone stealing from him. All black athletes should take the same approach, because there is no one who will have your back like you have your own.
Related:
+
Artest Plans to Raffle Ring to Raise Money for Mental Health
+Former NBA Star Pleads
Guilty to Fraud: Black Athletes Wake Up
The bottom line here is that whether or not you want to be a professional athlete has little to do with your decision to be educated. If you are not educated, someone is simply going to milk you like a financial cow and take away the rewards you've earned from all of your jump shots, bench presses and long days at practice. Black athletes possess the discipline, focus, and work ethic necessary to be the best in the world on the field, and we should also put forth the same degree of effort to be the best in the world off the field.
I enjoyed working with Winfred on "The Invested Life." He reminds us that black athletes don't have to be stupid, and they sure as heck don't have to be broke. In a world designed for our demise, black men must always be on point.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
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Comments: (35)
Add a comment
By: The Truth on 9/30/2010 12:35PM
My father always had a wad of cash in his pocket.
One day I asked him how is it he always has money and he said.
I don't spend it.
As silly as that answer seemed to me at the time, I eventually understood what he was trying to teach me.
Simply put
They "Spend" it.
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By: sittnpurtay. on 9/30/2010 2:24PM
Why does this article sublimely put down a "Black" athlete. Your point would be best made realizing this stuff happens to all races.
If your counterpoint would be a rant on statistcal inequity my stance remains
You know some of us refer to the business world as "On the Field" Maybe we should be looking at your perspective from
Another perspective.
As to the last paragraph.
"A world designed for our demise".
Where do you get this sh--.
Speak for your (pity grabb'n self).
Maybe you could put your advice to better use by suggesting a law for a young "athlete" to have a financial advisor.
I REFUSE to belive this world is set up for our demise. Let go of the woe is me soundbite and stop (hopefully unintentionally) putting us down.
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By: blackbear72 on 9/30/2010 10:30PM
The last sentence should read, "in a culture designed for our demise". That would make much more sense, what percentage of those immersed in the black culture, actually succeed?
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By: vdog on 10/03/2010 2:46PM
BLACK ATHLETES GO BROKE?! Hmmmmmm. I guess that explains guys like KIRK GIBSON and LENNY DYKSTRA. I didn't know they were BLACK. Thanks for letting me know DOC.
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By: The Truth on 9/30/2010 12:36PM
My father always had a wad of cash in his pocket.
One day I asked him how is it he always has money and he said.
I don't spend it.
As silly as that answer seemed to me at the time, I eventually understood what he was trying to teach me.
Simply put
They "Spend" it.
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By: speaking of this ish.. on 9/30/2010 2:10PM
Black sports stars go broke after retiring cause they simply have no respect nor understanding of money. Most of them come from homes where they survived from hand to mouth day by day and then one day they get signed to a big contract and they start spending money like their is no tomorrow..none watsoever. Buying all these fancy cars with stupid looking big rims, exotic cars, houses and on their friends who are only there for a handout, groupies who are tryin to come up, clothes, shoes, bad invests,etc that's why they end up broke..they have no understanding or concept of money. I'm not surprised that's what happens when one day your broke and the next your rich..you sometimes don't knw what to do with your money..sigh..same goes for blacks in entertainment
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By: understandingoverignorance on 9/30/2010 3:25PM
They get too much too soon and too fast so they don't understand never grasp the understanding of a dollar. And like the other person who commented said they come from hand to mouth situations so learning how to manage money was never thought. And because that understanding was planted in there mind they spend like there is no tomorrow and when tomorrow does come they have nothing.
Other black entertainers who have millions must begin to step in and give those young men sound advice so they don't go broke when there playing days end. Each one teach one.
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By: understandingoverignorance on 9/30/2010 3:28PM
They get too much too soon and too fast so they don't ever grasp the understanding of a dollar. And like the other person who commented said they come from hand to mouth situations so learning how to manage money was never thought. And because that understanding was not planted in there mind they spend like there is no tomorrow and when tomorrow does come they have nothing.
Other black entertainers who have millions must begin to step in and give those young men sound advice so they don't go broke when there playing days end. Each one teach one.
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By: marcus on 12/08/2010 12:07AM
i agree with the comments that were made. todays athlete has no understanding nor respect for money. to tell you the truth, they dont care either. im sure these professional institutions have financial seminars that tell them about the pitfalls of spending money as fast as they get it. and I guarantee you that they are not paying attention to any of it. most of the athletes live day 2 day in stead of living 4 tommorrow. most of them dont believe that they'll see the age of thirty. mainly because of the environment they were raised in.
The majority of the athletes of today grow up with no positive male figure in their life to teach them how to be a man. Most of todays athletes are primarily being raised by women. the majority of their fathers are either in jail, dead, or just out of the picture. The system itself is another reason why they're broke. The black athlete has to overcome more obstacles than any other race.
They have to prepare for their new endeavor, they have to learn a new culture, learn how to respond to people that know how much you're worth. Take care of the immediately family (mother, brother and sister) and some of his closest friends. On the otherhand, the white athlete doesnt have to worry about these distractions. all he has to worry about is playing ball. they dont have to take care of their family like a Iverson, isiah Thomas, or Lebron james. The black athlete is the most distracted athlete.
So in order for the athlete to be successful, they have to stop spending like its no tommorrow. they have to stop giving their friends money everytime they run low on cash. they cant sleep with every woman thats in front of them. that can lead to babies, diseases, and rape cases ( Tyson,Bryant) more importantly, they need to think ahead and know that what goes up, must come down. you miust know that this money will not be coming in forever. It is in their best interest to do whatever to protect it.
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By: pimpinperry2 on 9/30/2010 4:17PM
Why do black athletes go broke? Wow that's a good question. I'm a 54 years old black man who grew up in New York. In the 70's and 8o's I woudl read about the black athletes in Jet magazine. Then the next thing you know they're broke.
With so amny black athletes who went broke in the past you would think that the black athlete of today would be more concious of that fact. What I have observed over the years is this;
1) most black athletes surrounds themselves with whites..lawyers / Public relations / financial advisors etc. Very few blacks in thier inner circle of friends who calls the shots.
side note...one of the good qualities about Lebron James is that he has his childhood friends in charge of his marketing companies over the objection of the established agents in the business.
same with Barry Sanders...the ex half back of the Detroit Lions. He surrounded himself with black agents etc.
2)There always seemed to be a black women involved when it come to the black athlete financial downfall....think about Robin Givens, Mrs Tyson..ex Mike Tyson wife or the Lorenzo Wright who was just killed.
3) Black athlete don't or won't bother to try to educate themselves. They lived for today and think little about tomorrow.
4) ONCE THEY DO GO BROKE THEY have nothing to fall back on. The so called friends and family that were there when the money was coming in is now gone. White athletes usually can establish outside relationship that they can tap into when things get tight.
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