NFL receiver credits his mother for keeping him "Level-headed"
You are reading more and more about NFL players, mainly athletes in general about their finances and how they are blowing millions in money on lavish lifestyles, so when you hear a story such as Steelers wideout Darruis Heyward-Bey you have appreciate a mothers words not going unheard.
DHB (as he's called by teammates) accredits his smart savings to his mother Vivian who's his account and co-worker/teammate in handling his nice sized account. He has earned around $35 million in his 7-year career since being drafted in 2009 by the Oakland Raiders. He earned his first $30 million with the Raiders from 2009- 2012 and even though he hasn't panned out to be the superstar that everyone thought he'd become, he's planning for life after football just fine.
Heyward- Bey was drafted 7th overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2009 NFL draft
"I get an email [from her] every Tuesday," said Heyward-Bey, who pays a commission for his mother's work. "I can read it over, check it up. I see where the money is going."
He doesn't have kids yet so he's able to cut back on expenses and manage his properties without flaw, Heyward said "I don't have any kids and I'm not married, so the money I spend is on me. It's really easy to say no to myself," Heyward-Bey said. "I keep things real simple. I'm not really a flashy guy. I understand what I want to buy. I invest my money well and pay my taxes."
Vivian has been an accountant for about 20 years and showed Darrius the true meaning of saving your money and learn to spend smart, "I grew up knowing what to spend and what not to spend," Heyward-Bey said. "It's easy when you don't have money to not spend. That's how I grew up."
