$15k a month at The Cheesecake Factory!? How former NFL star Vince Young spent his millions

There was a period of time where it seemed like Vince Young was going to be the next great NFL quarterback. He had all of the physical traits to reach special heights, and fans saw that in flashes over his career. However, he had trouble managing the money he earned as a pro, which put him in a bind later in life.

Vincent Paul Young Jr.’s story starts in Houston, Texas, although the beginning of the tale isn’t a heartwarming one. As a child, Young grew up in a rough part of town, where he witnessed drug use and violence on a consistent basis. In a Players Tribune piece he authored, Young wrote about the time his sister’s boyfriend entered his home bleeding to death.

Despite the trouble faced at home, Young found an escape playing youth football. He didn’t have to worry about what plagued him off the field. Instead, he could focus on the competition, and the best way to get the offense into the end zone. He enjoyed being able to run around, over and through defenders.

Young decided to play his college ball at the University of Texas, as the Longhorn program was keen to keep the budding star in-state. During his three year college career, Young became one of the best players in FBS history. He is particularly remembered for an all-world performance in the 2006 Rose Bowl against USC, where he rushed for the winning touchdown to win the championship.

The Titans snagged Young with the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. It seemed like the former Longhorns star was going to be a force in the league for a long time. He won Offensive Rookie of The Year, and was named to the Pro Bowl. Young ran for seven touchdowns as a rookie, which proved that his athleticism translated to the pro game.

Although he would make the Pro Bowl in 2009, that was arguably as good as it got for Young in Tennessee. The team was 9-6 during his starts in 2007, but his inconsistent ability to deliver the ball from the pocket made head coach Jeff Fisher turn away from him at various times during his five years with the Titans.

The Philadelphia Eagles brought in several well-known players ahead of the 2011 season, including Young. The former Titan was brought in to be the backup to Michael Vick, but Young still started three games that year. The Eagles went 1-2 in those contests, and Young didn’t fare particularly well.

Reports indicate that Young earned over $35 million during his NFL career, which is a pretty hefty sum for most people reading this. However, that money did not last long in his account, as the quarterback spent the funds in various, eye-opening ways. Allegedly, he would drop $15,000 a month at The Cheesecake Factory.

Young’s affinity to The Cheesecake Factory may have only been the tip of the iceberg. He also apparently bought every seat on a Southwest Airlines flight just so he could travel by himself. The spending would also be apparent at the bar, as Young would part with $600 for shots of Louis XIII de Remy Martin.

It seems like Young is enjoying life with his family these days. The Texas football program has also welcomed him with open arms, as Young was involved in training camp practices before the 2023 college football season began. It looks like he’s invested in getting the most out of young athletes.