Before anybody assumes that this is just another story of a former professional athlete who is broke, we should mention that Adrian Dantley does not need the money.
Even though the Hall of Fame forward is now a crossing guard in Silver Spring, Md., reportedly making about $14,000 a year, he is not broke. Dantley, who retired from the NBA in 1991, is just looking for something to do. Plus, the infamously cheap six-time All-Star needs health insurance, which the job provides. Neither the NBA nor its players association provides health insurance for retired players.
The job places him outside Eastern Middle School, where a Deadspin writer recently saw Dantley intercept a student who was about to run in front of an oncoming car. Friends were not surprised that Dantley, notoriously frugal even as a player, is not willing to sit around in retirement.
“Adrian’s cheap,” an associate told Deadspin. “But he’s not going to take free money. That’s not Adrian Dantley. No matter what the job is, he’s gonna show up on time, and give other people [expletive] if they show up late.”
The transition to crossing guard was natural for Dantley. As a 6-foot-5 forward with an excellent post game, Dantley usually operated in traffic during his playing days. It makes sense that he does the same now.
Photo via Flickr/saltcityhoops
