Michael Vick single-handedly revolutionized the quarterback position by becoming a legitimate running option from the pocket. His unfathomable breakaway speed and passing precision allowed him to become one of the biggest offensive threats during his time in the NFL. In 1998, Vick redshirted for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The following year, Vick led the NCAA in passing efficiency with a rating of 180.4 as a freshman. In two seasons at Virginia Tech, Vick threw for a total of 3,279 yards and rushed for a total of 1,216 yards scoring a total of 38 touchdowns through the air and on foot.
After his impressive two-year collegiate stint, Michael Vick was drafted 1st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons where he played the majority of his NFL career. In six seasons with the Falcons, Vick was able to rake in $61.4 million from the franchise before being cut from the team and serving prison time for an illegal dog-fighting ring that was located on a property he owned. While this mishap might have derailed his career, he was able to return to the field as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009. In five seasons with the Eagles, Vick was able to earn over $52.2 million. Michael Vick also played one season with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring in 2016.
Not all celebrities have fame and fortune, some are just famous – and in a ton of debt. They came from rags to riches, then went back to rags. Whether they’ve filed bankruptcy, ended up in court, or just can’t stop spending, celebrities mismanage their money just like everyone else. They just hide it well.
50 Cent coined the term “wanksta,” then “partied like it was his birthday” until he filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. The rapper was said to be anywhere between $10 million and $50 million in debt. In 2016, a federal bankruptcy court judge in Connecticut approved a plan for the founder of G-Unit to pay his debts back. He was able to get his bankruptcy discharged in February of the following year.
Following a 45-year-long career in Hollywood, acting in more than 70 films, actor Gary Busey found himself in more debt than he was worth. In 2012, it was reported that Busey owed between $500,000 and $1 million worth of debt, but only had $50,000 to his name. The 74-year-old actor owed money to hospitals, banks, the L.A. Waterworks District, and even a storage company. He filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy that same year. Despite his longstanding career in Hollywood, Busey's net worth is now only $500,000.
Burt Reynolds is still worth five million dollars, but his battles with debt date back more than 20 years. Between bad investments and a pricey divorce from actress Loni Anderson, the 1970s superstar had to deal with over $10 million in debt and decided to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. While testifying in a 1994 custody hearing, the South Florida native said he spent $40 million getting through his divorce.
The former Hollywood bad boy, Charlie Sheen owes the IRS nearly $5 million. But that's not all. In 2016, his net worth was reportedly still as high as $150 million, but he was nonetheless $12 million in debt at the time – including mortgages, legal fees, and taxes. That same year, Debt.com reported Sheen owed nearly $300,000 on an American Express card alone.