New York Jets’ Antonio Cromartie Showing Maturity

At a time in the offseason where we are hearing of numerous NFL players getting in trouble with the law, it is nice to hear a story about a man changing his life for the better. New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who turns 30 next year, recently told the NFL Network that he is moving on from his reckless days as an immature guy and finally working towards bettering his family and saving up his money.

Cromartie said that when he entered the league he would often go out on wild weekends that would cost $10,000 a pop. Between the partying and numerous vehicles that he purchased, Cromartie estimates he spent approximately $5 million in his first three seasons in the league.

“I didn’t have no responsibility,” Cromartie said. “I spent $10,000 one weekend, I spent $10,000 the next weekend.

“I wasted $5 million in my first three seasons. I had two Dodge Chargers, two Escalades, two BMWs. My first three years, I probably spent, probably, $5 million. And I don’t have nothing to show for it at all.”

Cromartie was spending the money on himself and eventually fell behind on his child support payments.

Despite signing a  a five-year, $13.5 million contract when he entered the league, Cromartie needed to take a $500,000 cash advance from the Jets when he signed with them so he could catch up on the child support payments.

The good news for Cromartie, and his family, is that he realized he was going down the wrong path before it was too late.

Often times players leave the league only to go broke in a matter of years. At that point, not only can they not help their family, but they can’t even help themselves. It’s good to see Cromartie realizing he needed to change things immediately.

Hopefully he can stay on the right path and put his family first.