Oh, I also wanted to mention I met a former college and pro football player from Texas AM. He's coaching at WT White High now. Apparently though, being even a marginal football player is very profitable. Players who make the team earn at least $280,000 a year over 8 paychecks! Even if a player is cut midway through the season that is still good money. One guy did poorly in practice one day and consoled himself by buying a BMW.
Even players who fail to make the squad can be invited to join the practice squad. James, the football player I spoke to, was offered $10,000 by the New York Jets to join their practice squad provided they made it to the playoffs. Since it was the Jets, they lost the final game and didn't make it.