Life After The Gridiron

You don't generally equate playing in the NFL with a living hell, homelessness, hopelessness or any other unpleasant terminology. One's thought of playing in the NFL has almost always been equated to fame, fortune and living in the limelight. What really happens after the NFL? After the roars fade, after the championships are won and surely after the injuries: what happens to those players? Upgrade looks at some Gridiron Greats-Gary Burley and Antonio Langham. Where are they now?

Experts say a high percentage of former athletes will be thrust into the real world with very few marketable skills to increase their wealth and serious self-identity issues that often make the transition from the game a perilous one. Experts also say that 78% of those athletes are divorced, bankrupt, or unemployed two years after leaving the game. UPGRADE wanted answers-so we caught up with some names you may remember.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Hugo Sivad.
Gary Burley and Antonio Langham were photographed exclusively photographed exclusively for UPGRADE magazine June 1, 2008, on the campus of Miles College.

For more of Gary Burley and Antonio Langham pick up the current issue of UPGRADE on newsstands now or SUBSCRIBE today.