Throughout sports history, there might not be a moment that has perfectly encapsulated defeat and an end of an era as Y.A. Tittle's blood-gushing photo of him sitting in his opposition's endzone with a shattered sternum and concussion. While his fall from grace might have been perfectly captured, Y.A. Tittle's legacy as one of the greatest that still stands even after his recent death in October 2017, at the age of 90. Tittle would go on to play running back, defensive back, and quarterback for Louisiana State University from 1944 to 1947. While a member of the LSU Tigers Tittle would break the standing school records for completions (162), passing yards (2,525), and passing touchdowns (23). Tittle was unable to help his Tiger team solidify an SEC Championship after his pants fell causing him to trip during an interception run back on the final play of the game his senior year.
After becoming renowned for his play at the collegiate level, Tittle was drafted 6th overall in the 1948 NFL Draft by the Detriot Lions. However, despite being drafted by the Lions, Tittle began his pro football career as a member of the Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). After being voted the AAFC Rookie of the Year and playing two seasons with the Colts, Tittle was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1951 NFL Draft where he would play ten seasons with the team and become a 4x Pro Bowler and lead the NFL in passing touchdowns in 1955. In 1960, Tittle was traded to the New York Giants when he was considered past his prime but would go on to lead the Giants to three consecutive NFL Championship games from 1961-1963 earning him an additional three Pro Bowl invites. After the 1964 season, Tittle retired but is regarded as one of the most competitive and respected quarterbacks to ever take the field.
Not all celebrities have fame and fortune, some are just famous – and in a ton of debt. They came from rags to riches, then went back to rags. Whether they’ve filed bankruptcy, ended up in court, or just can’t stop spending, celebrities mismanage their money just like everyone else. They just hide it well.
50 Cent coined the term “wanksta,” then “partied like it was his birthday” until he filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. The rapper was said to be anywhere between $10 million and $50 million in debt. In 2016, a federal bankruptcy court judge in Connecticut approved a plan for the founder of G-Unit to pay his debts back. He was able to get his bankruptcy discharged in February of the following year.
Following a 45-year-long career in Hollywood, acting in more than 70 films, actor Gary Busey found himself in more debt than he was worth. In 2012, it was reported that Busey owed between $500,000 and $1 million worth of debt, but only had $50,000 to his name. The 74-year-old actor owed money to hospitals, banks, the L.A. Waterworks District, and even a storage company. He filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy that same year. Despite his longstanding career in Hollywood, Busey's net worth is now only $500,000.
Burt Reynolds is still worth five million dollars, but his battles with debt date back more than 20 years. Between bad investments and a pricey divorce from actress Loni Anderson, the 1970s superstar had to deal with over $10 million in debt and decided to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. While testifying in a 1994 custody hearing, the South Florida native said he spent $40 million getting through his divorce.
The former Hollywood bad boy, Charlie Sheen owes the IRS nearly $5 million. But that's not all. In 2016, his net worth was reportedly still as high as $150 million, but he was nonetheless $12 million in debt at the time – including mortgages, legal fees, and taxes. That same year, Debt.com reported Sheen owed nearly $300,000 on an American Express card alone.