By Lance Tominaga, ESPN Honolulu Web Editor.
Once upon a time, NFL players had to work during the off-season to make ends meet. They toiled as steel workers, ranch hands, salesmen and teachers. Those days, of course, are long gone. The average NFL salary is just above $2 million, and “minimum wage” for players is currently $660,000. Here are the top salaries of NFL players with Hawaii ties, courtesy of Spotrac.com:
1 – DeFOREST BUCKNER
DT, Indianapolis Colts
Punahou School
2021: $17 million
2. TUA TAGOVAILOA
QB, Miami Dolphins
Saint Louis School
2021: $6.88 million
3. KA‘IMI FAIRBAIRN
K, Houston Texans
Punahou School
2021: $4.2 million
4. MARCUS MARIOTA
QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Saint Louis School
2021: $3.5 million
5. KAMU GRUGIER-HILL
LB, Houston Texans
Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama
2021: $2.44 million
6. TYSON ALUALU
DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Saint Louis School
2021: $2.03 million
7. RIGOBERTO SANCHEZ
P, Indianapolis Colts
University of Hawaii
2021: $2 million
8. MARCUS KEMP
WR, Kansas City Chiefs
University of Hawaii
2021: $850,000
9. NATE HERBIG
OG, Philadelphia Eagles
Saint Louis School
2021: $844,000
10. BRADLEE ANAE
DE, Dallas Cowboys
Kahuku High School
2021: $839,000
11. NETANE MUTI
OG, Denver Broncos
Leilehua High School
2021: $831,000
12. ALOHI GILMAN
S, Los Angeles Chargers
Kahuku High School
2021: $827,000
13. JAHLANI TAVAI
LB, New England Patriots
University of Hawaii
2021: $613,000
T-14. JOHN URSUA
WR, Seattle Seahawks
University of Hawaii
2021: $440,000
T-14. NICK NELSON
CB, Indianapolis Colts
University of Hawaii
2021: $440,000
15. TRAYVON HENDERSON
S, Cincinnati Bengals
University of Hawaii
2021: $128,800 (Practice Squad)
16. BREIDEN FEHOKO
DT, Los Angeles Chargers
Farrington High School
2021: $110,400 (Practice Squad)