Population of the US- 300 million

Number of active NFL players in the US: 1800

If you can make it to be one of those 1800, out of a country of 300 million, you are the most elite in your profession and why shouldn't you be compensated your fair-market value by an employer that is making money off of your blood and sweat and image and abilities?

Don't forget the average NFL career is 3 years long and a lot of those guys end up in regular jobs afterwards and most of the money they earn playing goes right back into the economy in the form of taxes and profits for Cadillac, DUBS, SONY, etc.

JV

I understand it is difficult to mentally 'justify' the salaries. But I'm sure that regardless of your property or other tax you pay - the benefit of having the team(s) is greatly offset financially.

You are right that role-model (or not) is a different argument as well as criminal athletes. Personally I don't think a criminal athlete should be band, I think they should go to prison/jail like anyone else without unfair treatment. But ther are many jobs where x-criminals CAN work so why make professional athletes an exception?

Sure many jobs allow criminals to work....... it just shouldn't be nationally televised sports........ There's an image they need to portray that is part of their compensation......... if they can't uphold that they need to find another occupation..........