Do all NFL players make millions of dollars for years upon end? The statistics might surprise you. The average NFL career lasts 3 seasons, due to the high rate of brain and leg injuries. The median salary in the NFL in 2009 was $770,000. While that might seem like a ton-o-cash, factor in a 35% tax rate, and 6% to the agent. Now factor in a college education that was not completed or which was poorly attended to. And this: 78% of all NFL players are bankrupt within two years of the leaving the league.