Joe Theismann's leg snapping like a twig is usually the first memory for many OG football fanatics when his name is brought up. What many forget about Theismann was his willingness to take risks in the pocket, get yards himself on foot, and the rocket he had for an arm. The three-sport high school athlete decided to take his talents to the University of Notre Dame to play his collegiate football. In his sophomore year, he earned the starting quarterback job and instantaneously became a force compiling an overall record of 20-3-2. In 1970, he helped the Fightin' Irish secure a Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Texas and set school records for completions in a single game (33), passing yards in a single season (2,429), passing yards in a single game (526), and touchdowns in a single season (16).
After finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Jim Plunkett, Theismann was drafted 99th overall in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and drafted in the 39th round of the 1971 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins. After being unable to come to contract terms with the Dolphins, Theismann took his talents to the CFL where he played for the Toronto Argonauts where he was named an all-star in two out of the three seasons he played with the league. In 1974, Theismann signed a contract with the Washington Redskins where he would play his entire twelve-season NFL career. In 1982, Theismann would lead the Redskins to their first championship in 40 years after defeating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. The following season, Theismann led the Redskins to another Super Bowl appearance but fell short to the Los Angeles Raiders. Joe Theismann's prosperous NFL career was cut short after a lower right leg hit by Lawernce Taylor shattered the fibula and tibia. It wasn't a pretty sight, but the 1x NFL MVP (1983) left a legacy behind worthy of compliment.
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.