Standing at 6'5 and weighing 220lbs, hailing from Zachary, Louisana, Doug Williams is known for breaking many of NFL records and not just statistically but socially. Before even stepping onto a professional football field, Williams was known for his studious nature, perfect passing mechanics, poise, and his insanely strong arm. While attending Grambling State University, Williams led the Tigers to a 36-7 record as a four-starter, winning three South Western Conference Championship, leading the NCAA in several statistical categories, and graduating with a bachelor's degree in education. Despite all of Williams' success, only one NFL scout came to see him prior to Williams deciding to declare himself into the NFL Draft.
In the 1978 NFL Draft, Williams was selected 17th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Prior to Williams' arrival, the Bucs had won just two games in two seasons since the franchises beginning. Williams led the Bucs to three postseasons in five seasons, however, after a contract dispute, Williams took his talents to the USFL where he played two seasons with the Oklahoma/Arizona Outlaws. In 1986, Doug Williams returned to the NFL with the Washington Redskins where he would make history becoming the first Black quarterback to play in the Super Bowl (XXII), the first Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl, and the only Black quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP to this day. While Williams did accomplish a lot as an African-American quarterback, he also threw for a record 340 yards in the Super Bowl, became the first player to throw for four touchdowns in a half in a Super Bowl, and the only player to throw for four touchdowns in a quarter in a Super Bowl.
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.