Ex-NFL player Russell Okung’s incredible $6.5 million bitcoin gamble pays off

The former offensive tackle was the first NFL player ever to be paid in bitcoin back in 2020. See what his money is worth today.

Russell Okung in attendance of the IndyCar Series 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Back in 2020 the price of bitcoin was roughly $27,000. Fast forward to post-election November of 2024 and it’s sitting at nearly $90,000. That’s great news for now retired Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Russell Okung.

Okung was the first player in NFL history to be paid in bitcoin back in 2020 when he opted to have half his $13 million salary converted into the crypto coin.

That $6.5 million was converted into 240 bitcoins. As of this writing, that many bitcoins is worth nearly $21 million for 36-year-old Okung as the price of bitcoin has surged in the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election.

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Legendary: Back in 2019, former #Panthers OT Russell Okung demanded to get half of his $13 million contract paid in Bitcoin.

Bitcoin was ~$27,000 at the time.

Now, Bitcoin is trading at +$88,000.

That $6.5 million has now turned into $20+ million.

🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/pxCprbpcRV

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 11, 2024

Smart choice for Okung, who was selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He also played for the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and 2013 Super Bowl champion. On June 6, 2023, Okung announced his retirement from professional football.

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Here’s Okung talking on Tuesday about bitcoin and the reason he loves it:

the future isn't in their system, the future is not in their currency

pay me in bitcoin pic.twitter.com/czY5hG9ke3

— OKUNG🐆 (@RusselOkung) November 12, 2024

Okung certainly looks like he can predict the future.

While his bitcoin is crushing it, his former team certainly isn’t. The Panthers sit at 3-7 and at the bottom of the NFC South. Okung looks like he made the right decision to retire from the NFL where he can sit back and watch his bitcoin in first place in the crypto standings.

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