NFL Busts - Where Are They Now?

Ever wonder where the NFL's biggest busts ended up? Look no further!
Follow Nonstop Sports
• Instagram - / nonstop​​​​​​
• Twitter - / nonstop​​​​​​
• TikTok - / nonstop​​
Imagery supplied by Getty Images
NFL Busts - Where Are They Now?

[@gwingcommander]

holy shit, the Jason Smith story is actually so wholesome. Really nice to see that being a bust in the NFL doesn't have to mean losing his dream. Good for him

[@TheMattTrakker]

The fact that he said fkit and became a cowboy is awesome, I just feel bad for the horses. 6-4 | 305.

[@alonsobruni8131]

he is probably happier than most hotshot NFL players :D

[@karlmel15]

@@alonsobruni8131 I met Jason brown when Visiting his farm a few years ago. He was an extremely humble humble man who you could tell was in his element. He seemed very happy and fulfilled.

[@teddy5269]

I really respect JaMarcus Russell for realizing his mistakes and teaching others not to make them. ✊

[@hardhitter1016]

That's a fact

[@VGI4NI]

Agreed

[@hello7032]

That’s the truth. Hope the best for him going forward

[@terrykayser1663]

Mistakes? You mean laziness?

[@hardhitter1016]

@@terrykayser1663 good point

[@ethansavatar1815]

I am very glad most of these guys made something of themselves after retirement

[@briangreen550]

Agreed. Always prefer a success story.

[@kevinzhu6417]

Some of these are unexpectedly wholesome, Tony Mandarich followed one of his passions in photography and runs a successful business and a lot of the others are teaching the next generation not to repeat their mistakes.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

If "wholesome" would apply, their football careers would have worked out just as well as their post-athletic ones. Since only one career went in the right direction, there is nothing "whole" about it.

[@hello7032]

@@einundsiebenziger5488 that’s not what wholesome means

[@kobeisthegoat5767]

@@einundsiebenziger5488 🤡

[@romonrivera9977]

@@einundsiebenziger5488 bro you don't know what wholesome means

[@dave1927p]

people actually like a trainwreck over a success story...makes them feel better about their own mistakes in life.

[@tainanking]

I mean it sounds bad but there’s nothing wrong with it. I mean it’s not their fault that others didn’t live up to the hype

[@frankdux3605]

That’s not always true. For the ones that are contrite, I feel bad for them. Also, people love redemption stories over total failures

[@kman215]

It's sad that's how humans are

[@themadlad8540]

When u are given the keys to the caddy and shit it away then you deserve to be called out.

[@ScoobyShotU]

Thanks captain obvious

[@dehash666]

Imagine how hard it is to get to NFL, working so hard and then just blew it.

[@crashburn3292]

And then just "blew it."

[@dehash666]

@@crashburn3292 , yeah, not right.

[@MarioMartinez-tt9ly]

Gotta give Trent richardson respect. The guy has shown he absolutely loves the game of football and just wants to play .

[@MarioMartinez-tt9ly]

Several of this guys did pretty great afterwards if you ask . Like the guy that bought the ranch to live his passion and dream . Or the guy that became an actor . Or the guy that is in agriculture.

[@natesamadhi33]

If I were to see it from Jamarcus' perspective, the fact that he got $32mil guaranteed was probably enough for him to get complacent. If he doesn't blow that, he's technically set for life. He's no doubt a bum, but from a purely financial standpoint, he still won in a way & his work did pay off. $32mil guaranteed is an amount that %.001 of the entire world will ever see in their account But if he blew it by now, that's a whole other story...

[@ohbaby4life]

Fun fact Vernon Gholtson has a cousin that plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . William Gholtson who was a 4th round pick and has been a staple for that Stacked Super Bowl Winning Defense

[@EyesHaveMiles420]

Vernon is mad jelly

[@timg2088]

When Ryan Leaf began to really struggle in the NFL, he was absolutely crucified in the media. Glad to see he's doing better. He's overcome a lot. Now, working at ESPN and staying sober.

[@Avogadros_number]

Trent Richardson’s arms are insane

[@Asignuva]

Hes a cool dude as well. Met him a couple times when he played at alabama

[@Terror832]

I would like to see this video “How bad was Akili Smith really?”

[@teddy5269]

Ig he was so bad I’ve never heard of him And I’m a football nerd

[@noahrivera9565]

@@teddy5269 then you must be like 12 bc he’s a top 5 bust oat

[@piranhasforscissors]

Everyone gives Tim Couch and Ryan Leaf shit, which is fair. But Akili Smith doesn't get nearly as much hate as he deserves, he is the dumbest person to ever play football.

[@t11bake]

@@teddy5269 you obviously aren't

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

He got drafted high but never got the feeling he was popular. Didn’t think he was that good to begin with. Got drafted high out of need for a QB. Same thing with Tim Couch, Blake Bortles and David Carr.

[@kingmaverick632]

This should be watched by young and aspiring football players. It goes to show that just bc you make it to the league that doesn’t mean you’re set for life. Many players including some of the most anticipated have fizzled out and had money issues and other problems after the league. It’s always good to have something to fall back on

[@beatman1007]

I wouldn’t call Vince a bust

[@cdc194]

Plus alot of his mental breakdown immediately followed the murder of his mentor Steve McNair.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

Jeff Fisher and NFL is a bust for dropping the ball in so much talent.

[@bjchit]

He couldn’t beat out Kerry Collins for the starting job.

[@ceufrscio707]

"Hard work kicks in when talent fails."

[@waterdrinker_]

This is inspiring to failed young athletes like me. I can find something else that makes me happy and is fulfilling

[@Augfordpdoggie]

i failed kind of at my dream too and i still havent recovered....15 years later. maybe you will deal with it better than i did. heres my advice, expand your thinking. how can i still be an athlete, if not in the same way? will it be too painful for you? get a support network. stay distracted-laugh a lot. can i be an athlete in another country? look online for overcoming defeat resources.....there are a lot of great channels on u tube. Hope this helps and wish you all the best

[@skippythealien9627]

there's a reason why these guys get paid so much and are held in such high esteem. if everyoen could do it, there wouldn't be as much prestige. i hope you do find something that makes you happy! the path to pro sports is narrow but there are many different ways to find happiness

[@rudolfkubasi1510]

Now that you did the NFL, you gotta the NBA busts.

[@sacramentokingswillrise7525]

He did that already, But I guess He could do MLB or NHL?

[@withasilentg]

Good for Jason Smith. Never had a chance with the Rams (no one did that decade T_T) since they also decided to move a career right tackle to try and anchor at left.

[@adamprice3466]

His cowboy life looks more fun than NFL life

[@ValdezPoker]

“Full of McDoubles” earned my like 😂😂😂😂

[@joe2979]

The fact he gained 40 pounds from mini camp to training camp is pretty funny. It was like a month and a half.

[@jetshark970shark4]

Vince Young was screwed over... Rookie of the year, 3 time Pro Bowler, and cover of Madden. Jeff Fisher fucked him over

[@calebwinfield1403]

Need 5 wins? Jeff Fisher will get you 7 wins. Need 10 wins? Jeff Fisher will get you 7 wins.

[@mavfan1]

Vince was simply unwilling to learn the game. He was lazy. He tried to rely on physical talent and failed.

[@jetshark970shark4]

@@mavfan1 Now that is total bull shit. Vince's job was given to terrible/racist Kerry Collins who was leading the team to a losing record then Vince stepped in became a pro bowler and team made playoffs. Vince's problem was he had a coach who didn't like or want him. Jeff Fisher was so garbage he was leading the LA Ram down a path of destruction then he got fired and the made it to the super bowl. Then like most Black QB Vince couldn't get another opportunity to start full time, yet a terrible QB like Ryan Fitzpatrick gets opportunity after opportunity after Opportunity to look like FilmMagic then back to reality with multiple terrible games.

[@bjchit]

Two time pro bowler, as a replacement, and he was just slightly better than Tebow.

[@jetshark970shark4]

@@bjchit Wow, where did you play again? How many times did you make it to the Pro Bowl?🤔 Who did you replace,🤔🤫🫣

[@WackJallis]

Trent Richardson not being just a serviceable running back in the league was the most surprising “bust” for me

[@UnholyWrath3277]

Man couldn't hit a hole to save his life

[@penguinrea0088]

Great videos

[@annlisterman6868]

Great video

[@ac9559]

The biggest bust is the current NFL Commissioner.

[@moopert86]

Tony Mandarich is actually a pretty cool story. Found something he likes doing and stayed clean. Good for him.

[@Mundilfari_]

And started a career out of it, that’s the type of story that gives me hope for my own future.

[@edgarnavarro8254]

Keep up the good work

[@lexsea]

i like that as the video went on it came to guys who made the best of the situation like starting non-profits or succeeding at their dreams in life. everybody fails at some point in their life but the real test is how you come out of it and those men really did make the best of the situation

[@jayzooda7511]

My top five favorite videos so far!

[@BeLikeQuincy]

People don’t realize the pick right after Jamarcus Russell was Calvin Johnson…

[@michaelfreitas6028]

Then joe Thomas and Adrian Peterson and Patrick Willis darelle Revis

[@EyesHaveMiles420]

@@michaelfreitas6028 Damn

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

No sh*t Sherlock

[@Ayden_1-]

@@dontdoittoyoself6786 don’t know how many people know that but okay

[@multiyapples]

@@EyesHaveMiles420 L pick by the Raiders.

[@mattedwards2195]

its always frustrating never seeing Brodie Croyle on the 'busts' list. He went from knocking beer cans off barn fences 50 yards away in highschool to having more injuries he does wins

[@jacob2215]

Bruhh I love nonstop sports

[@MisterRickSinister]

Vince Young is the last Longhorn QB I will ever root for.

[@MetroplexBias]

A true shame

[@parkycod]

you should root for Ehlinger. Bigger story there.

[@grxengine]

@@parkycod enjoy that burnt Orange koolaid much?

[@parkycod]

@@grxengine huh?

[@cool61911]

colt mccoy was damn good tho

[@marqueonmauldin9095]

Vince young wasn’t a bust he just had a horrible head coach who had it out for him

[@LIG87]

lol which coach? he had more than one coach. If youre referring to jeff fisher, he may have had it out for Vince, but he still had his best years under him. After he left the titans, he played for multiple teams and did nothing... he was a bust.

[@marqueonmauldin9095]

@@LIG87 he was ruined by Jeff fisher by then it was already too late .

[@marcmclane281]

No....he was a bust...sounds like you need a timeout....

[@marqueonmauldin9095]

@@marcmclane281 relax snowflake ❄️

[@brandonjames740]

He was a trash person get over it

[@HeaZyay]

I like hearing the ones that lost it all and bounced back

[@rminor500]

Vince Young went to the pro bowl twice. How is that a bust? If he didn't have a head coach who was against him he would've been point of the best ever to do it

[@FreshPrincex4]

Vince is the only player on here that wasn't a bust

[@bjchit]

He was a replacement pro bowler twice and was terrible on the field.

[@rminor500]

@@bjchit agree to disagree

[@bjchit]

@@rminor500 Well you would be disagreeing with objective facts, but ok.

[@rminor500]

@@bjchit and why are you making this such a big deal? You said your piece and i said mine but do you do you have to have the last word?

[@juanfranciscohernandezreye5524]

I'm from Chihuahua and I'm so hyped for Richardson playing for Caudillos, but this year the season was cancelled due COVID, hoping to see him play next year, greetings from south of the border.

[@OutgrownThings]

I personally don’t see Vince Young as a bust. Did he fail to meet expectations? Sure. But he showed some moments of greatness and was not TERRIBLE.

[@bjchit]

You could say that about everyone on this list.

[@bjchit]

BTW, he was terrible.

[@OutgrownThings]

@@bjchit lol ok

[@bjchit]

@@OutgrownThings You enjoy that career 74 QB rating then.

[@OutgrownThings]

@@bjchit lol ok

[@jenniferwheatley-kaufmann6361]

“I took up golf.” -Johnny Manziel

[@dluuxx]

The end to Tony Mandarich's story was super sweet

[@ll4680]

Jamarcus Russell(#1 Pick) was WAY more of a bust then Ryan Leaf(#2 Pick)

[@piranhasforscissors]

I mean, 5-11 is better than 1-15, that's all I'm saying...

[@jasonrandom372]

They are both the same if you ask me. Ryan Leaf was a drug addict and JaMarcus Russell was a bedridden college star.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

No Ryan Leaf got four chances to Jamarcus Russell’s 1.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

@@piranhasforscissors And Leaf had a better team around him.

[@scottdurfee2417]

Was nice to hear most of them are succeeding now still

[@_gw33do_]

It's safe to say Ryan has turned a new Leaf... I tried 🤣

[@MyNameIsFredFuchs]

Really cool story about LT Jason smith from the rams

[@iddan1205]

Now I got to watch The longest yard again.

[@theoriginalthinker9199]

6:55 Busted out laughing at this.

[@shauns6936]

Its okay life is tough we make mistakes, so long as you come out on top

[@blakethomas3001]

I really thought Blackmon was going to be a star

[@djobe420]

He would've been so much better than Dez

[@bioLarzen]

Good one. Was expecting Tim Tebow and Charles Rogers, but hey. Anyone knows what's Titus Young's been doing?

[@multiyapples]

Kudos to Vernon Gholston for trying to do good after his NFL Career ended.

[@kirklazarus1426]

The Jason Smith story is so wholesome.

[@notaniceguy34]

I like this video. Not everyone becomes a success in the NFL regardless of the hype. But it doesn't make those who didn't succeed failures. A lot of them picked themselves up and kept achieving in other fields.

[@extra.nirvana]

Do a Bengals video please!

[@Espo2250]

tony mandarich wasnt completely a bust, he was a dissapointment in green bay but he admitted using steriods and painkillers and was at least honest about the whole ordeal And he did come back and have 3 solid years for the colts, actually protected peyton manning in 98.

[@ericgarcia6264]

If Russell took it serious he would’ve been one of the best

[@ericgarcia6264]

@Ryan he did have talent , he just didn’t care lol

[@imserious2187]

He started showing up four mcdoubles 😂😂😂😂

[@SalvadorAnguianoDG]

The most hilarious is Ryan Leaf as an “analyst” sure, the worst bust in NFL history is gonna tell fans who’s a good player and what’s going on in the field, lmfao!

[@jacobshorr9587]

No busts are as interesting as an NFL bust. Football isn't even my favorite sport, but a baseball bust is so common no one cares.

[@eon14873]

bo jackson ended the myth of "the boz"

[@dehash666]

Lol, I only knew Bosworth as actor.

[@davebar2017]

These guys need to hire 24/7 mentors / sidekicks

[@garylp3]

Most of their sidekicks try to leach $ off them.

[@nba4kt701]

Pt.2???? Thanks

[@holdenjames2723]

Day 8 of asking nonstop sports to bring back the deep voice guy

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

Be careful or one of them might give you that “Mama’s cookin “

[@sajennyoak7775]

Ayyy was that Reggie white at the beginning yeah you gotta do something on Reggie man

[@thenobleone-3384]

Wow Jamarcus reminded me of Daunte Culpepper so much

[@eternal_napalm6442]

Culpeper had a good career

[@garylp3]

Culpepper and the Vikings were contenders for a few years.

[@elvez1231]

The Boz turned out to be a pretty good guy.

[@MarcG7424]

Trent Richardson was on his way back until the league folded

[@trustyshooter5]

I pray that I'm reincarnated as the Boz

[@thebestcentaur]

I still don't really consider Vince Young a bust. 2 Pro Bowls? Disappointing, yeah, but bust??? I don't know about that one, chief. Never mind he's the only one on this list to make even a single one

[@TBSandNFL]

His two probowls are some of the worst in NFL history and he was 3rd overall. Absolute bust.

[@AK-74K]

@@TBSandNFL Never a bust, absolute nonsense

[@habibolaleye6883]

I couldn’t believe Trent became a bust it seemed like he had it all in college

[@dylanszafryk8702]

Wasn’t Jason smith like a 95 ovr In an old madden

[@DRACOFURY]

*JaMarcus Russell Is The Biggest Bust Ever* *End Of Story*

[@bobt1029]

Justin Blackmon... according to the "experts" he was Dez Bryant without the baggage and off field issues. Oops.. 🤣

[@dantheman1194]

Lmao he said Trent was sign to the what who I’m fucking dying rn

[@franzoni03]

Its rare to me (because I am mexican) to hear people that doesn't speak spanish speaking it Its so easy but the way that he pronounces caudillos of Chihuahua made me laugh

[@AlonsoRules]

Imagine Barry Sanders and Brett Favre on the same team!! Packers went for Mandarich instead.

[@limitbassfishing2733]

Blackmon died I thought a few years back.

[@karlmel15]

A common thing I see here for most players on this list is mental health issues. many of these players came from poor backgrounds or not raised in functional households and turned to drug and alcohol abuse as a means to cope as they hit their mid twenties, when mental health issues fully develop for most. The pressure of being a draft pick that high in the draft is unimaginable to me. I wish the best for these men.

[@rjones2000r]

If you do more NFL busts videos you should include ex Ram Lawrence Phillips.

[@eduardopena5893]

Funny that you mention Leaf's issue with opioids, but you fail to mention how part of Russel's failure was his addiction to Purple Drank, codeine syrup.

[@joshuastein8254]

Me, a Raider fan, showing up on this video: Well, we know who’s number one.

[@ryanmoore3876]

Bosworth was actually good before his shoulders gave out , led the Seahawks in tackles one year

[@1969chgoodwin]

Ryan Moore getting pancaked by Bo Jackson didn't help either

[@yunglean7783]

Yeah I don't think he was a bust. He was a low risk high reward draft pick

[@howardtonio9262]

@@yunglean7783 he was a bum

[@yunglean7783]

@@howardtonio9262 sounds like a texas fan

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

I think he was solid.

[@amani7724]

Wheres Tebow then because Vince definitely had better numbers than him.

[@_The_Worst_]

Geesh...😬...a lotta sad stories...💯✔

[@Totalrecarlo]

Matt Jones out of Arkansas should be on here for sure.

[@phantomjoad3376]

Surprised you didn't mention Bosworth is the Sheriff of Fansville.

[@brandonpowell1613]

Man I wish Justin Blackmon would of stayed out of trouble.

[@BcBTheta]

He's like another Josh Gordon, super talented but couldn't stay out of trouble

[@kman215]

Why was manziel canned for life from the CFL

[@multiyapples]

In defense of Jason Smith had he stayed healthy he would’ve had a better career. I can’t fault him for how his career turned out.

[@TheMattTrakker]

Is Jamarcus Russel writing with his left hand?

[@michaelmasila3242]

How good was penny hardaway

[@bettis3b1g82]

Russell went to lsu not bama my guy.. but nice video

[@RealMikeGibbs]

I love the ones who crushed it after the NFL!

[@thenobleone-3384]

Another QB denard Robinson for the Michigan Wolverines. He was undersized they moved him to receiver

[@penguinrea0088]

God bless you

[@ShahPhilLeotardo]

These guys never had the makings of a varsity athlete.

[@julianbarichere2448]

Damn young blew 35 million.

[@garylp3]

Antoine Walker over $110millions; Terrell Owens $60millions; Allen Iverson $150millions. Easy come, easy goes.

[@multiyapples]

I hope they're all doing okay now.

[@yourbigheadcousin5434]

Bosworth's shoulders were all gone before he left college. He'd been shot full of steroids and cortisone by Barry Switzer. After his final injury the Seahawk's team doctor said Bosworth had the shoulders of a 65 year old man. People always cite Bo Jackson running Boz over but if you watch the play Boz gets off a block and tackles Bo Jackson, who had a full head steam, flat footed. He didn't stop the TD but he did make the tackle.

[@elijahspeller6796]

I honestly don't feel like Vince Young would've been a bust with a different coach.... he had Jeff Fisher

[@angelvalle9963]

Leaf was a stud qb he just didnt want it enough .

[@garylp3]

Lack of emotional IQ/control did him in.

[@jamesowens2559]

Not sure Johnny Football has the coaching acumen.