Former University of South Carolina All-American defensive end Jadeveon Clowney sparked a social media furor this week when he posted – and then quickly removed – a picture of a brand new $300,000 car which he referred to as his “new baby.”
Clowney posted the picture of the new Bentley Mulsanne – which lists for $301,625 – on his Instagram page at around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“My new baby,” he wrote, adding several happy Emoji faces.
So did Clowney actually buy this car? It’s not immediately clear – and calls to his reps were not immediately returned. All we know is that by 3:00 p.m., the picture of the shiny Silver Mulsanne had been removed from Clowney’s social media pages.
By that time, though, at least 250 people had “liked” it and several others had posted comments on it. Oh, and Clowney’s “baby” had been screen-capped and preserved for posterity …
Take a look …
(Click to enlarge)
(Pic: via Instagram)
Obviously this isn’t the first time Clowney – who is projected to be a top five pick in the 2014 NFL draft – has made automotive headlines. Last month he was busted not once but twice traveling at excessive speeds on South Carolina interstates. Clowney has requested a jury trial in at least one of these cases, and has retained the services of U.S. Attorney Pete Strom – South Carolina’s top attorney.
British-made Bentley Mulsannes are assembled by hand at the company’s facility in Crewe, England – with each car taking around three months to produce. To take a look at one yourself, visit the car’s official website here.
While Clowney has yet to be drafted – or sign an NFL contract – he has access to insurance money and his agent, Bus Cook, could have co-signed for a car.
Last year’s No. 1 NFL draft pick – Eric Fisher of the Kansas City Chiefs – signed a four-year deal worth $22 million. Of that total, $14.5 million was paid to him in the form of a signing bonus.
Instant wealth comes with its pitfalls, though. According to a 2009 investigative report by Sports Illustrated, nearly 80 percent of NFL players are either bankrupt of facing severe financial strains within two years of their retirement. The same report also found that 60 percent of NBA players were flat broke within five years of leaving the game.
Clowney – a 6-foot-6, 274-pound freak of nature who runs a 4.46 forty-yard dash – finished his USC career with 24 sacks and 47 tackles for losses, none more seismic than the legendary boom he lowered on Michigan running back Vincent Smith during the 2013 Outback Bowl. And while his 2013 season may have been a disappointment statistically, Clowney was routinely double-teamed by opposing defenses and his presence on the field limited opponents’ game plans.
UPDATE: Clowney and his attorney, Pete Strom, have confirmed to FITS the car belongs to a friend and that Clowney was “just cutting up.”
28 comments
How in the hell did he pay for it? Does he already have endorsements?
Probably the same way he’s been paying for those fancy dinners at Ruth Chris…. rich USC alumni….
If you read the article it said he “has access to his insurance money or his agent could have co-signed for it for him” both of which are true, and yes more than likely a player as highly rated as Clowney (probably Smoking Sammy Potkins too) he signed an endorsement or 2 the day after he went pro. all sure 1st rounders have them “in waiting” as son as they sign Don’t try to look for a story when one isn’t there.
At this stage in his career he can borrow or get about all the credit he wishes!
There are plenty of ways to borrow on future earnings.
I hear Hooked on Phonics is looking to him for an endorsement.
He’ll end up broke.
The professional moochers are drooling. They will SUCK him dry, before he even gets the big bucks.
I certainly hope so.
White bitches luvs dem Rolls. And I luvs dem white bitches.
4 doors cause I got a baby seat in back! Damn baby’s moma don’t like no sock on it. Damn man, white girls are freaks
That’s really pitiful. He had probably never been inside a 300,000.00 HOUSE before he signed with Carolina. Such poor judgement and nobody to look after him. What a fantastic opportunity for a good and meaningful life, but I fear this will end poorly for him. So sad.
‘Talk used to be;this guy is a hero,and rednecks bought #7 shirts for games.Now that he’s not a Gamecock,he’s just another nigger,for you racists to hate…,but I’m sure he’s smart enough to know that’s the way it would go.Congrats and all the best to an incredible athlete! It was an honor,watching you play…
not one Gamecock has said that and you know it. You might talk that way up there in Taterville so go back to Coots Beak. Completely fake post. its all you got. if you cant beat them hide behind someone else’s screen name
I resent your just another nigger even jokingly. The rest of your statement I agree with. He will do alright .
it was a fake post to use the N word so they can call Gamecocks racist. its an idiot from Coots Beak. the real 9″ actually has a profile you can click on. this one does not. how low Coots beak will go. they are obsessed with Carolina since they cant beat them.
sorry if you were offended,but I’m used to bigoted slurs.you can sometimes deactivate the power of a word,by using it yourself.
I’m a queer,a faggot,etc,and I don’t care;-)
Hope he negotiated a deal with Bentley, I’m sure they would cut him a heck of a deal to sport around in that.
I’m sure Bentley could care less if an NFL player drives one of their cars, actually they’d probably prefer some English noble own anything that comes out of their factory. Sure they’ll take rapper and other thug money, but they likely don’t want to be associated with them.
That was true when they were still a Brit company. Now that they are owned by their traditional friends, the Germans, its is simply money, money, money.
Which is why I said they’d take his money. I’m sure he’ll have one, like the top poster said, he’ll end up so I hope he enjoys the ride while can afford it. Maybe he can replace Corey Miller on WACH sports after his career is over.
This is all a sad commentary. I know that teams don’t really care about anything other than the win/lose stats, but you’d think Spurrier, Inc. would do something to prepare these men/children for the shock of sudden wealth & fame. Lattimore appears to have his head screwed on straight & will probably do just fine, but for most of them who can’t count as high as their signing bonus, it’s disaster looking for a home. Clowney’s appearance in the State House last year in sweats & flip-flops spoke volumes & was an embarrassment. I think the coaching staff should’ve been ashamed of themselves. If that isn’t part of their job, it should be.
Really? A Bentley? That looks like a bloated Chrysler 300. JD likes speed! So why not a Ferrari or a Lamborghini? Okay, the Bentley is a massive beast like Jadeveon is on the football field, but this is out of character regarding speed.
This Bentley has over 500 hp and a 184 mph top speed. 0-60 in right around 5s. That’s speed for a car that weighs over 6000 pounds. If you’re 6’6″, 275, YOU try getting into a Ferrari or Lamborghini. And then getting out. Repeat several times a day. No thanks.
Why do you think the Chrysler 300 is so popular with the urbanites? It’s the poor man’s Bentley. Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s are built for people who are 5’6″ tall.
Clowney better contact Magic Johnson on how to keep his money invested and not blown.
So what? Why do liberals resent success?
Quit hating!!! The guy is away training and is probably getting introduced to things a young man from South Carolina has never seen. It was clearly and instagram joke. Even further maybe he is learning the power of manifesting which is speaking things into existence. This man is a beast on the field and should be the #1 draft pick. Let him dream!!!