Today, you’ll always hear stories about professional athletes claiming to be broke, often declaring bankruptcy. The reasons for why this happens include frivolous spending, bad investments and financial support for friends and family. These casualties of big contracts often leave athletes pinching pennies at old ageBut what happens when, during their young years of wild spending, one of those athletes die? What happens to the friends and family that were used to extravagant lifestyles? In the case of Donna Junor, the mother of slain Washington Redskin Sean Taylor, you’re left with bills, a foreclosure threat and without a dime to your name.
Junor, in today’s Washington Post, alleges that when Sean passed away two years ago, the victim of a heinous home invasion, she did not receive any money from his estate. Sean, like many young people, never wrote a will. Therefore, the money in his estate went to those who were designated to receive it: his child’s mother, his father and his sister.
Like many athletes, Sean was not shy about his spending. He often dropped duffle bags full of money to his brothers and sisters (ironically, one of those bags led to the home invasion that took Sean’s life). His mother was also on the receiving end of this generosity. She received a home and car from Sean, which he was paying for.
Once Sean passed, the bills piled up, threatening to force Sean’s mother out of her home. While she received her degree last year, she’s been unable to hold steady employment, so she’s owes about 10,000 in home association fees and back taxes. All she wonders is why she can’t receive money and his sister can (she received about 100 grand from his estate). Like Sean’s mother, his sister says that the distribution of the estate was unfair however people would have to learn to buckle down and handle their business.
This situation raises some interesting conundrums. First, how imperative is it for athletes to establish wills and other legal decrees while they are alive? While Sean’s passing was a shock to all, he felt that if something was to happen, he wanted his money to go to the people that he trusted the most. After Sean’s death, many NFL players publically stated that they were in fear for their lives because of their riches. The last thing they worry about is who should give a dime when they pass.
Secondly, what does it say that Sean’s mother is asking for a handout? In that same article, Sean’s brother said that he didn’t want a dime and that he’s doing alright. People were this way before Sean cut his biggest check. Does Sean’s mother deserve something? Yeah, of course but if she hasn’t been trying to take care of her situation, then how much of a side-eye can you give her?
Lastly, how many of these stories do we have to hear before all professional leagues educate their players about their money? You would think since these leagues – owners and GMs – put all this money in these dude’s pockets – their own little investments – that they would be steadfast in ensuring that those funds don’t go to waste.
Sean Taylor’s family predicament ain’t nothing new but it’s sad nonetheless. Somebody get Michael Crabtree on the phone, please?
Two Years After Sean Taylor's Death, His Mother Faces a Wall of Hardship [Washington Post]
