“Clearly, my decision to retire has raised some questions. Quite simply, I love football, but I have decided at this time it is in my best interest to focus on getting my personal life together.”

-Rolando McClain, former linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

In the 2010 NFL Draft, YouWager’s NFL football wagering fans saw the Oakland Raiders select Rolando McClain, who played for Alabama, in the first round.

McClain looked like he might bring some solid skills to Oakland. In his three seasons with the Crimson Tide, Rolando made 274 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and one interception. He was unanimously named an All-American, and called ‘The Best Linebacker In The Nation.’ He helped the SEC powerhouse go all the way to the 2010 BCS National Championship. Just days after winning the championship, McClain had decided to turn pro. The announcement was greeted with excitement in the online betting community. Great things were imagined for the young man.

But McClain’s adventures off the field were an entirely different story.

Oakland released McClain, partly because his troubles with law enforcement officials kept him in the news. Baltimore signed McClain, but he has been arrested three times since 2011. McClain signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens in April. Just after he signed with the Ravens, he was arrested again. The case is pending. If he remained on the team, aside from any penalties or suspensions his team might impose, McClain likely faced discipline from the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell. Then a YouWager news source reported that McClain announced he would retire from his career in the National Football League.

Ozzie Newsome, the general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, told YouWager’s source, “Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL. We have placed him on the reserve/retired list.”

McClain said he was leaving NFL football in order to focus on improving himself and “getting his life together.” Because the 23-year-old is on the Ravens’ Reserve/Retired list, Baltimore will still retain first rights to McClain. His contract, signed in April, was a one-year deal for $700,000 with no additional money guaranteed.

Just 10 days after the April signing, McClain was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in his hometown, Decatur, Georgia. In January, McClain was pulled over for having tinted windows that were too dark, and he lied to police about his identity. In 2011, he was charged in a shooting.

After making news with his early retirement, McClain may be having second thoughts. The former linebacker told YouWager’s source that he still holds on to the hope that he might play in the NFL again someday. Referring to his departure from the NFL, he said. “Beyond that, I’m not sure what the future holds for me, including football. This was entirely my decision and the Ravens have been very supportive during this process. I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me and wish them the best of luck in the future. God willing, maybe I’ll play for them one day.”

“My body is what helps me to make money. Whatever there is that I need to do to try and make myself better or get myself healthy, I’m going to do it. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that I spend anywhere between $400,000 and $600,000 on body work, as far as taking care of my body, year-in and year-out.”

-James Harrison, linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

James Harrison’s body of work

When it comes to being the best he can be, James Harrison spares no expense. The new linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals told a YouWager news source recently that he spends around half a million on his physique.

As many serious sportsbook bettors may remember, Harrison eventually came to the NFL after playing for Kent State University. As a starter in his junior year, Harrison led the team in total tackles with 106. He also made an interception and recovered 3 fumbles. In the 2001 college football wagering season, he made 98 tackles and 15 sacks.

But Harrison was not drafted in the 2002 NFL Draft. Many clubs were afraid that Harrison was not tall enough or big enough. He spent two years on –and off- the practice squad for the Pittsburgh Steelers. James Farrior, a teammate, told YouWager’s source that Harrison’s earliest efforts as a linebacker were not always well received. Farrior said, “He was a knucklehead that didn’t know the plays. We’d be in practice, in training camp, and he might not know what he was doing so he’d just stop and throw his hands up and tell (the coaches) to get him out of there. We thought the guy was crazy.”

At some point, Harrison clearly got serious about his career. A 5-time Pro Bowler, Harrison picked up two Super Bowl rings playing with the Steelers, for his role in Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII.

So, how, exactly does an NFL linebacker spend $600,000 on his body?

Harrison told YouWager’s source, “As far as training, I have a hyperbaric chamber. I rent a hyperbaric chamber when I’m in Arizona. I have massages, and I bring people in from New York, Arizona to where I’m at. There’s that cost. Like I said, I get body work almost every single day except Saturday and Sunday. I have a homeopathic doctor, and I do a lot of homeopathic things. It’s just a lot — supplements, so on and so forth. I’ve got a masseuse, got an acupuncturist, got a trainer, got another masseuse and another masseuse and a homeopathic doctor. I think that’s it.”

Harrison struggled in his early days. He was signed by Baltimore at the end of 2003, then he was sent to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, but he was eventually cut from the team. After he was cut for the fourth time, Harrison was ready to quit the NFL. Then he was signed by the Steelers for the fourth time. When Clark Haggans was injured during the offseason, Harrison demonstrated much improvement and finally made the team’s roster. He played for the team through the 2012 NFL football betting season. Harrison told YouWager’s source that he originally planned to retire at the age of 26 to become a veterinarian. Another back up plan is being a truck driver, like his father. Harrison even has a commercial drivers license.