It’s a given that wives of current NFL players and wives of
former NFL players have one thing in common: Our husbands have beaten incredible
odds to play football at the professional level – only .218% of American men
make it to the NFL. Beyond that, though, we’re all about as diverse as fish in
the sea, even though others might think differently. Here are some of the most
common misconceptions that plague us all…
We’re all wealthy.
Scott and I
certainly aren’t living in the poorhouse, but we’re far from Park Avenue, too.
It’s easy to see why people would think all NFL players (both former and
current) are rolling in dough – what with images that the media presents and
given NFL salaries these days. But looks can be deceiving. Let me break it
down…Scott played nearly seven years in the NFL, but the average NFL career
lasts only two years – Just two years! That
means most players are done way before they hit thirty. So in order to never
have to work again, players must make enough to live off of for the next sixty
years, which, for many players, is impossible. Players in Scott’s era (the 90s)
made damn good money, but they simply did not make what players make currently
– and even now, not all current players are millionaires. The bottom line is
that we are careful about how we spend our money so that we can maintain the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed,
which includes – but is not limited to – providing a roof over our heads complete
with heat, air conditioning, and high thread-count Egyptian cotton bed sheets,
keeping our bathroom closet stocked with my arsenal of hair care products,
supporting my addiction to Wheat Thins and Laughing Cow cheese, and fulfilling
our son’s incessant requests for Chinese take-out.
We employ hired help.
I think the aforementioned answer covers this, but, to be
clear, do we have a nanny, a chef, or a maid? No, no, and no.
We spend our days
lunching, manicuring, and shopping.
If by lunching you mean slapping together a PB&J for your child's school lunch, and if by manicuring you mean assuming the role of the family's requisite fingernail clipper,
and if by shopping you mean trolling eBay in the middle of the night while the rest of the house sleeps…then, yes.
Our husbands have
several kids…by other women.
Scott has fathered two kids…and they were both pushed out
by yours truly. I have the pooch and birth certificates to prove it.
Our husbands are
dumb jocks.
For starters, have you seen an NFL playbook? It is arguably easier
to read the formula for cold fusion. But, seriously, Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in
engineering from Purdue University before getting drafted, and upon retirement,
he earned a degree in culinary arts from the Arts Institute in New York City…after he received his teaching
certification in the state of New Jersey. Nope, I didn’t just marry him for his
brawn.
Our husbands are
financially irresponsible.
This is my absolute favorite stereotype to debunk. Yes,
Scott made good money during his playing days. Yes, he traveled a lot and lived
a very comfortable lifestyle. But he never owned a Mercedes, nor has he made it rain. He did, however, support his family financially as well as fund a children’s foundation mostly out of his own pocket. He also paid his
taxes, agents, and other dues that are part and parcel with being a
professional football player. Ask Scott could he have done some things
differently, and he’ll tell you yes. But does he have any regrets? No.
We groom our sons to play professional football.
I would be proud if Scotty followed in Scott's footsteps. But I would also be proud if Scotty decided to pursue a career in medicine, science, the arts, or in any field his heart desires. The bottom line is this: My son's future does not hinge on whether he becomes a professional athlete. And it’s certainly not something I’m striving
for – even though the chances of making it to the NFL nearly double for the
sons of NFL players. Will Scotty feel pressure to become the third Conover to
make it to the NFL (Scott’s first cousin, Frank Conover, was also
drafted to the NFL in the same year as Scott)? I actually doubt it. My stance was--and is-- this: If he plays...great. And if he doesn't...great.