Peter Smith
NFL contracts are typically multi-million dollar deals, especially for most starters in the league. With cryptocurrency emerging as an increasingly popular alternative to the US dollar, some NFL players have opted to receive payment through this digital, decentralized form of money.
We’ll look at five NFL players who have requested to be paid in cryptocurrency. It’s important to note that there are multiple cryptocurrency coins available to invest in.
The first and most popular cryptocurrency option is Bitcoin (BTC), which has been available since 2009. Other coins include Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), XRP, and BNB (Binance Coin), with numerous others emerging in recent years.
Russell Okung’s decision is likely the most well-known up to this point. The former offensive tackle spent 11 years playing in the league, earning two Pro-Bowl nods.
Okung’s final year in Carolina in 2020 saw the Panthers’ left tackle request to have half of his $13 million salary paid in Bitcoin. He was the first NFL player to make this investment, inspiring at least four others to pursue a similar route into cryptocurrency.
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There were four prominent NFL players who made investments in cryptocurrency during 2021. QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Odell Beckham Jr., QB Trevor Lawrence, and RB Saquon Barkley each converted a portion of their contract, signing bonus, or endorsement money.
Jacksonville Jaguars franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, partnered with Blockfolio a couple of days before being taken as the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Blockfolio, now the FTX app, was previously an app that allowed investors to track their cryptocurrency portfolio. Lawrence converted his $24.1 million signing bonus into a cryptocurrency account.
Rodgers did not specify how much of his 2021 salary with the Green Bay Packers was being invested in Bitcoin. His decision came after entering a partnership with Square’s Cash App, which is a mobile payment service and product of Block Inc.
Odell Beckham Jr. followed Rodgers’ footsteps a day later on November 22, 2021. The wideout also partnered with Cash App, opting to get his entire salary in Bitcoin. The total amount remains undisclosed.
Finally, Saquon Barkley’s decision to funnel $10 million of his endorsement money into Bitcoin occurred in 2021. The Eagles’ star running back, previously with the New York Giants, had declared that all of his endorsement money would be converted into Bitcoin moving forward.
The appeal of Bitcoin depends on the investor. It’s a decentralized network that leverages blockchain technology, stored on a digital public ledger, with each transaction made.
Volatility in the value of Bitcoin, combined with a lack of regulatory protections, opens investors up to potential losses or scams. The appeal is to circumvent banks and engage in peer-to-peer transactions, including lending and borrowing, while excluding third parties.
One Bitcoin is currently worth a bit over $119,000. In 2021, when these five NFL players converted either contract, bonus, or endorsement money into Bitcoin, it was worth between $32,000 and $50,000.
Needless to say, it’s been a great investment. Bitcoin cryptocurrency has continued to climb in value during 2025, jumping over $20,000 in value.
Peter Smith
