The man who walked away from $12 million to play football
In short: In 2001, Drew Henson signed a massive $17 million contract to play baseball for the New York Yankees. Yet, just three years later, he walked away from the remaining $12 million of that deal to pursue a career in the NFL. It was a gamble that defined a unique sporting journey.
Drew Henson’s career is a rare study in multi-sport elite performance. A standout at Brighton High School in Michigan, he was a decorated athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. His high school baseball numbers were immense: earning USA Today High School Player of the Year honours, he set national benchmarks for runs scored (259), RBIs (290) and career home runs (70).
His decision to prioritize baseball over football was solidified in 2001 when he signed a six-year, $17 million deal with the New York Yankees, choosing the diamond over a football scholarship to the University of Michigan. This decision came after he was originally slated for Florida State University, but changed course when Chris Weinke enrolled there instead. While at Michigan, Henson played quarterback, notably competing for playing time against future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.
The financial stakes of his career shift became clear in 2004. After struggling to secure a permanent third baseman role with the Yankees, Henson chose to return to football. Because he was unable to negotiate a buyout for the $12 million remaining on his baseball contract, he was released from his obligations, effectively walking away from that fortune to join the NFL.
Henson’s professional football career was a nomadic journey through several franchises. The Houston Texans selected him during the 2003 NFL draft's sixth round, and his career included stints with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys. His time in the NFL included stints in NFL Europe with the Rhein Fire, where he was the league's second-rated signal caller in 2006.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Drew Henson
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