GIVING HIM FITZ
Ex-Titan Young: How come Ryan has a job and I don’t?
VINCE YOUNG hasn’t played in an NFL game in six years, and when he looks around the league, the former Texas star is struggling to understand why that’s the case.
In particular, he is shocked ex-Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick still has a job.
“I hate to name-drop, but Fitzpatrick is still playing!? He leads the league in interceptions, and he’s still f------ getting paid?” Young said in a Sports Illustrated profile published Tuesday. “I mean, what the f--- is going on?”
Fitzpatrick actually finished third in the NFL in interceptions last year with 17. He signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Bucs this offseason to back up Jameis Winston, who threw 18 interceptions last season.
“I’d see a quarterback and be like, ‘Dude is garbage, and I’m over here in the kitchen cooking turkey necks!?’” Young said.
Young, 34, last played in the NFL in 2011 as a backup with the Eagles. He recently attempted to resurrect his career, but was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL after tearing his hamstring.
His fall from NFL starter to bankruptcy is a cautionary tale for professional athletes.
A former No. 3 overall pick and Offensive Rookie of the Year, Young admits to many of the mistakes that led to his demise. For instance, he confirmed he once paid in full for a $15,000 tab at the Cheesecake Factory.
“Most I’ve ever spent on a meal in my life,” Young told the magazine. Teammates were apparently taking shots of Louis VIII cognac at the feast, and some walked out of the restaurant while carrying expensive bottles of wine, Young said.
After his stint with the Eagles, Young signed one-year deals with the Bills, Packers and Browns in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. He never made it past training camp. Like many pro athletes who were forced out of their sports, Young regrets not leaving on his own terms.
“I didn’t stop because I wanted to,” he said. “Now, I can’t blame anyone but me.”
During his time with the Titans from 20062010, Young repeatedly butted heads with head coach Jeff Fisher. Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chowe said Young was “pampered, coddled, whatever word you want to use” by owner Bud Adams, who had been the deciding voice in the team drafting Young in 2006, according to SI.
Young’s demeanor rubbed Fisher the wrong way. And Young told SI a story from his rookie season, when he forgot his ID at home before a road game. He then got stuck in traffic and called Fisher to inform him he’d be two minutes late for the team flight. But Fisher refused to hold the plane for his quarterback. Young said Fisher held planes for other players in the past.
“I feel like Fisher did that s--t on purpose,” Young said. “I’m pulling in, seeing them pull the door down. I can hear the team yelling.”
The relationship blew up completely in 2009 when Young threw a tantrum on the sideline in a home game against Washington. Young suffered a thumb injury, and Fisher did not put him back in the game. Young stormed off the field.
“You’re walking out on your team,” Fisher said.
“I’m walking out on your motherf--ing ass,” Young replied, according to SI.
Fisher and Young both left the Titans after the 2010 season.
“I guess he doesn’t give two s--ts about me,” Young said of Fisher.
Young filed for bankruptcy in January 2014 and believes his financial troubles were a major reason teams avoided him in the twilight of his career. According to court documents referenced in the SI story, Young listed his debt between $1.001 million and $10 million, and his assets between $500,000 and $1 million when filing. Young made $35.39 million in NFL salary alone during his career, not counting endorsements.
Along with his haphazard spending — he bought two cars for one relative, according to SI — Young was also reportedly victimized by friends and acquaintances who took advantage of his money through forged signatures for loans.
One example: A Hollywood actor spent $600,000 of Young’s cash to start a business. Young knew of the actor but had never heard of the business.
It took three years, but with help, Young said he settled his debts. He’s taken two jobs at Texas — his alma mater where he won a national title in 2005 — as a broadcaster for the Longhorn Network and a motivational speaker of sorts.
For the time being, the Roughriders placed him on their retired list, according to SI, despite initial reports that he’d been waived.
“Maybe I’ll play football again,” Young said. “You never know.”