From declining performance to injuries, the NFL has seen players walk away from the game for various reasons. But De’Vondre Campbell’s case is different. On December 12, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers linebacker stunned everyone by refusing to play in the Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Rams. As expected, he was soon suspended. And Campbell has yet to explain his decision to walk away.
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He did rant things out on a recent social media post. However, the linebacker didn’t directly explain his actions but implied that he is done with his NFL career, despite having plenty left in the tank. He reasoned that he’s rich enough to do that. Having earned $39 million in his career, Campbell hinted that he may never need to work another day in his life.
Considering the growing number of athletes going broke post-retirement, the former Packers LB’s stance has had many skeptics. However, Cam Newton believes that Campbell’s decision is justified as long as he doesn’t make the same financial mistakes that so many retired athletes do.
In the latest episode of 4th&1 With Cam Newton, the former Carolina Panthers quarterback noted that while judging Campbell, one has to understand that it’s not about how much you’ve made — it’s about how much you’re still spending.
Campbell can live comfortably on his $39 million, Newton argued, as long as he doesn’t spend money in retirement the same way he did while playing in the NFL.
“Because, respectfully, he may not have to work — I don’t know how he spends his bread. But if his expenses are still the same as when he was earning M’s… Oh, Mr. Campbell, you’re gonna have to work. You’re gonna have to check,” said Newton.
Plenty of former players have gone from millionaires to financial strugglers because they didn’t adjust their lifestyle once the paychecks stopped rolling in. Case in point: former NFL QB Vince Young, who went from earning $35 million to filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014. The culprit: his extravagant lifestyle post-retirement.
That said, while Newton respected the decision of Campbell, he remained skeptical of the notion among players that they’ll need not work again after hanging up their cleats.
“Who am I to say, ‘Nah, motherf****r, you’re gonna have to work, that ain’t enough’ —depends on him. I don’t even know this guy… but I respect him as a football player, you know what I mean? Played against him a couple of times. It’s a tale of two ends, right? He has made $39 million in his career,” added Newton.
At the end of the day, quitting on the 49ers was Campbell’s choice. Whether he truly never have to work again? That depends entirely on what he does next.
