nfl

Although NFL players have salaries that range from a minimum of $325,000 to $25.5 million and beyond, they desperately need financial tips, because a lot of them are living paycheck to paycheck. The NFL players are currently in negotiations for their salary, so in the spirit of the Friday deadline, in which the bargaining must come to an agreement, the NLF Players Association issued a 64-page personal finance manual, USA Today reports. The advice includes everything from the practical "save 25 percent of your salary" to the absurd. Here are some of the funny ones:

• Socialize "with a purpose." For example, it's OK to spend when you're networking to prep yourself for life after football.
• Never "pay friends to perform work that you can easily do." Seriously, it's not that hard to reply your own emails or text girls.
• When you're hitting up the clubs, make sure to "leave the club with your wallet and budget intact." Being drunk is not an excuse for popping too many Cristal bottles or misplacing your Louis Vuitton wallet.
• When pals and family ask you for money, reply "no" or "not now." Just because you are raking in the dough doesn't mean you have to become the Bank of America for your entire family.

While some married women browse adultery dating sites looking for a part-time affair, wives of NFL players are attempting to protect their marriages from infidelity. Three wives have created a business, called Off the Market, which sets up invitation-only events for NFL couples intended to help them socialize together while on the road and reinforce their commitment to a fun, healthy, sexy — and faithful relationship.

It will be an uphill battle. Marriages involving a professional athlete have a losing record, and experts blame ego and opportunities. One sports psychologist told ABC News that women know what they're getting into: "The husband isn't going to be home for six months and he's going to be fawned and fussed upon." He continued, "If you drive a car 50,000 miles a year, you are going to have more accidents."

Nonetheless, the Off the Market women are still planning couples retreats and offering advice to spouses on their Facebook page. Some of the latest advice: "Cater to your mate's pleasures and desires, be it fried chicken or a foot massage."

What's not to love about football season? Burgers on the grill, chips and dip, and all the crudité you can imagine. Oh, and whatever game is on TV. I may not be the hugest football fan, but I have to admire the fitness discipline of professional athletes. Even if you don't know your first-and-tens from your field goals, here are some fitness lessons you can learn from those modern-day gladiators.

Conditioning is important: Of course, those NFL'ers don't just roll out of bed and onto the field. Maintaining peak physical performance means developing a routine and sticking to it, but varying your workout enough so you keep seeing results.
• Protect that brain: Sporting a helmet on your bike ride is a no-brainer, but don't forget to protect your greatest asset by eating the right kind of brain food, like brazil nuts, avocados, and blueberries.
• Teamwork is key: Jocks value the importance of being on a team, so start your own by getting some workout buddies. They're good at motivating you, they can teach you some things, and unlike on a football field, the encouraging butt tap is optional.
• The right gear is essential: You may not be sporting a number on your back, but your workout uniform should have you performing at your best. Find what works for you to keep you supported in all the right places, sweat-free, and safer from injuries.
• Timing is everything: In football, those last few seconds on the clock can sometimes mean the difference between a Gatorade shower or a dejected march to the locker room. Get that winning feeling the same way by shaving seconds off your personal best or increasing your running time or goal miles.

Source: Flickr User Ed Yourdon