Retired NFL linebacker Brandon Spikes, a native of Shelby, North Carolina, recently opened up about the financial realities of his football career on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast. Spikes, who was a five‑star recruit out of high school and later became a two‑time All‑American at the University of Florida, said he “took a f—ing pay cut” when he left the Gators for the New England Patriots.
College success and NFL draft
Spikes was part of Florida’s celebrated 2006 recruiting class, which also featured Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin. After earning two national championships and two All‑American honors with the Gators, he entered the 2010 NFL Draft and was selected in the late second round by the Patriots. He spent five of his seven NFL seasons in New England, contributing as a linebacker and special‑teams player.
Financial trade‑offs
During the interview, Spikes explained that while he was not “hurting for money” in college, the move to the NFL did not automatically increase his take‑home pay. He joked that the higher income taxes in Massachusetts—”Taxachusetts,” as he called it—significantly reduced his net earnings compared with what he earned in Florida. “You played in Foxborough,” he said. “That check looks a little bit different when you walk up out of there.”
Pre‑NIL era earnings
Spikes emphasized that his college earnings occurred before the NCAA’s name‑image‑likeness (NIL) reforms, meaning any compensation he received was unofficial and under the table. He also noted that the university helped his mother relocate to Florida while he was playing for the Gators, adding a personal touch to the discussion about family support and home‑cooked meals in Gainesville.
Perspective on modern player compensation
When asked whether he ever cleared seven figures while wearing the orange and blue of the Gators, Spikes denied it, but he acknowledged that players in his era were already enjoying sizable financial benefits, even before NIL became legal. “If you are one of the few fans still believing kids weren’t getting paid before the advent of NIL, I’m sorry to burst your bubble,” he said.
Legacy and character
Spikes concluded the conversation with a light‑hearted comment about his willingness to take a pay cut to play for the Patriots, describing himself as a “class act” for making that sacrifice. His remarks highlight the often‑overlooked tax implications and personal choices that professional athletes navigate when moving between college programs and the NFL.
While the story does not involve a specific local community, it offers insight into the financial considerations that shape the careers of former college stars turned NFL players, underscoring the broader conversation about athlete compensation and tax policy.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
