#JoeBurrow says he learned a harsh #financial lesson the moment his first #NFL signing bonus hit his account. After signing his rookie deal, Burrow expected to receive the full $24.6 #million signing bonus. Instead, only about $12 million showed up. “The first thing I did was call my financial advisor and ask, ‘What the hell happened?’” Between federal taxes, state taxes, agent fees, and other deductions, athletes often lose a massive chunk of their earnings before they ever see the money. Fans hear that a player signed a $25 million deal and assume they’re taking home $25 million. The reality is much different. Even for superstar athletes, the number reported in the headlines is rarely the amount that actually lands in their bank account. 💸