NFL pay, Whopper & advice

First of all, I just wanted to answer a few questions that were submitted by readers:

“Nick, I’m sure there are a lot of things the public does not know about being a pro athlete. For one, how does [any] pro player get paid during the season? Direct deposit, thru an agent, by check? Thanks.”

Every NFL team pays their players different ways. Some teams distribute paychecks weekly, others bi-weekly. Some teams have an option for direct deposit. Players do have an option for money to be direct deposited to different accounts of their choice.

We only get paid during the regular season. 16 weeks. So for example, if a player is being paid $800,000 for the 2008 season, he will receive those funds during that period of time.

Most players don’t get paid during the off-season unless specified in their contract. All player contracts are structured differently.

I have not heard of an agent directly receiving a player’s paycheck, but I’m sure it has happened before.

When traveling out of town, how do meals and meal money work?

For home games, meals and hotel rooms are paid for by the team. For away games, they provide a per diem for every player, and they also provide meals.

Did you get to see much of Toronto?

No, I didn’t. We generally don’t have much time to sightsee. We have only about four hours of free time. And I usually just rest during that period of time. Some players go out to eat. But I just chill.

Whopper-to-flopper episode disappointing

So tonight, the veteran defensive linemen had a “tradition night.” Tradition night consists of me, Smith, Kiesal, Kirskie, Hoke and Big Hamp. And we all ride over to Burger King to have some good ole Whoppers!

Well when we got there, we all placed out orders. Keep in mind, I have been dreaming about having a Double Whopper with Cheese, no tomatoes, and supersize the fries and drink.

Well, we were informed that the broiler was broken and that they can’t cook anymore meat, so instead we could only order five whoppers with cheese. I was pissed, and I was still hungry after eating a whopper with cheese, and a king fry.

It’s Burger King

How in the heck can’t Burger King serve burgers? They are the king of burgers! So now I’m in my room feeling like I got teased!

Week’s life lesson: make own decisions

I love to always end my blogs with life lessons because I love to offer advice to those who might be going through some things. My grandmother always told me “Son, life is uncertain, but death is sure to come!”

You only live once and it’s very important that you love yourself and who you are. God made us all different in our own unique ways. Don’t let other people make decisions for you. Because, take it from me, when you make decisions based on what other people think, you will never be happy with yourself.

Don’t be a puppet!

XNick Eason is a defensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s blogging about his experiences this season for Vindy.com. We share some of his comments here.