South Carolina Football: Ranking the highest-paid NFL Gamecocks of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 5 NFL Career Earner:
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker John Abraham
John Abraham was late to football as he had never played until he got to high school. The decision to join Lamar High School’s squad proved to be a great one for Abraham who quickly earned a scholarship to play for South Carolina.
His elite athleticism and tantalizing potential made Abraham a first round pick of the New York Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft. Everything clicked for Abraham as a pro as he logged 133.5 sacks and made four Pro Bowls in a career that could eventually land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Abraham made good money throughout his professional career until voluntarily taking up less of the salary cap late in his career. His biggest deal was a 6-year $45 Million agreement with the Atlanta Falcons. That contract represented over half of his career earnings as he brought in just over $71 Million in salary over the course of his 15-year tenure in the NFL.