He could’ve walked in anybody’s church and did that. And I like art and books and writing and writers — my pro writer buddy, Michael McKinley, helped me pen this story. “How do we stop things like this from happening?” 
 
 The answer isn’t clear. Until I left Charleston, I just figured that was a part of every community in America. I also got fed three fine meals with multiple courses if the trip was long enough. I know now that they would have liked it because it would have said humility, and hard work, and honesty, and all those things that are good in the world. It’s the spending money the team gives you, and it’s about as free as money gets for a professional athlete. * * * 
 
 It’s been a typically eventful offseason for Gronk, who threatened to bare all at the White House in April. I live off my marketing money and haven’t blown it on any big-money expensive cars, expensive jewelry or tattoos and still wear my favorite pair of jeans from high school… I don’t hurt anyone (except Gord with the occasional kick to the groin), I don’t do drugs, I don’t drive drunk, I don’t break the law... I’m a 23-year-old guy just looking to have a fun time.” 
 
 • In the later chapters, we’re provided a glimpse of his relationship with Bill Belichick, the nature of which surprised me. I was too choked to ask the guys if we could go to Banana Republic so I could buy what I could afford, and more importantly, what I wanted. “Everybody paid attention when Dick would get mad. That’s more than enough to live happily ever after. I might not be playing in the NHL the following week, but I knew that I couldn’t park my Bronco next to the rides of the 12 future Hall of Famers on my team. When I was in the NHL, we received $96 a day in per diem money during training camp (that’s 30 days, or $2,880) and for each day we were away for road games. And that’s why I’ve come up with a new Avery Rule. Actually, I leased it, because I couldn’t afford to buy a Jeep Cherokee. Sure, you can go buy that Denali, or you can put 20 percent down on a starter home in the Hamptons (yes, those Hamptons). Such a difference matters; there’s more expected points to be gained by teams expected to win the game. There's one big problem. I wasn’t a fan of the old “Avery Rule,” which the NHL invented after I screened New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur in the playoffs in 2008 by facing him directly (it wasn’t against the rules and I thought it was quite inspired, but the league disagreed). I’m told 10 teams are interested in the former Pro Bowler, who was set to make $5.5 million in 2015 but was instead released at one of the worst possible times in the NFL calendar. My agent took another 3 percent for getting me the bonus. So I paid more than 5 percent of my first NHL paycheck on a pair of pants. I was 20 years old and I was rich. Dad: It’s high time to buy a boat and navigate the Chesapeake with your sons.  
 
 Former NFL player Warren Sapp becomes emotional after being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in this 2013 photo. But even for them, with all these millions, it's a challenge."
– Sean Avery could take a page from Rob Gronkowski's book—literally. Gronkowski of the New England Patriots has raked in more than $16.3 million in signing bonuses and contract money over five seasons in the NFL and, incredibly, hasn't spent a penny of it, according to an excerpt from his autobiography It's Good to be Gronk, per theMMQB.com. "I live off my marketing money and haven't blown it on any big-money expensive cars, expensive jewelry, or tattoos and still wear my favorite pair of jeans from high school," the tight end explains. Gronkowski, who started out making $320,000 and $450,000 in his first two seasons, respectively, has counted BodyArmor SuperDrink, and Dunkin' Donuts among his endorsers, reports Business Insider. Gronkowski stuck to his financial plan after signing a six-year, $54 million contact with an $8 million signing bonus, but that isn't possible for everyone. In fact, one in six NFL players will file for bankruptcy within 12 years of leaving the league, according to a study published earlier this year, per the Washington Post. About 2% of players filed for bankruptcy two years after retirement, despite making an average of $3.2 million over their careers. "This is one group that you might think ought to be able to avoid bankruptcy. They're in a position to buy some good advice if they need it," a financial expert said. "But even for them, with all these millions, it's a challenge." The report found NFL players file for bankruptcy at about the same rate as non-athletes of the same age.