Jerry Seinfeld once observed that there’s no way that moving in with your parents is a sign that your life is on track. There’s also no way that an NFL player moving in with his parents is a sign that the league’s negotiations with the players’ union are on track.
So while there’s been some optimism in the last few days that labor negotiations are moving in the right direction, Jets guard Matt Slauson represents the ultimate example of a player acting cautiously and saving his money in case there’s a lockout.
Slauson told the New York Times that he, his wife and their baby are living with his parents while he waits to see what will happen next year.
“I’m constantly working with my budgets,” Slauson said. “I know that this week could be my last week in the NFL, and then I won’t have any more checks coming in.”
Slauson, a 2009 sixth-round pick who started all 16 games for the Jets in 2010, has made several hundred thousand dollars in his two-year career. So he’s not exactly George Costanza moving back in with Frank and Estelle because he’s got $714 left in the bank.
But Slauson is being frugal until he’s sure there’s going to be a 2011 season. Other NFL players would be wise to follow his lead.