COLUMN: Football, financial planning and Christmas: Ho, Ho, Ho

“Merry Christmas, baby, you sure did treat me nice. I haven’t had a toddy this morning but I’m all lit up like a Christmas tree.”  — “Merry Christmas, Baby” by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore.

 Hands-down, the best Christmas recording since Thomas Edison invented the phonograph remains the Godfather of Soul’s “Merry Christmas, Baby.” When it comes to estate planning, I can beat James Brown like a borrowed mule, but creativity-wise he beats me. Here goes my 2010 Christmas story with a financial twist from the sports page. For the record, one Saturday between the hedges I watched James Brown perform “Dooley’s Junkyard Dogs”.

Not only did Keith Fitzhugh letter for four years as a Mississippi State defensive back, he played in every game. Alabama fans may remember his 10 tackles against the Crimson Tide in 2007. Growing up in metro Atlanta, Fitzhugh turned down a scholarship offer from my beloved Georgia Bulldogs. You can’t hold a grudge about his choice; at least he had grades good enough to be a Georgia Bulldog. See Nick Fairley.

After college eligibility expired, Fitzhugh had professional tryouts with the Ravens and the Jets but never made the cut. He moved back in with his parents and got a job with Norfolk Southern. A few weeks ago, after multiple injuries in their defensive secondary, the Jets offered him another shot. Spurning approximately $18,000 per game and the shot at bonus money in the playoffs, Fitzhugh turned the Jets’  down.   

His dad, Keith, Sr. has been on disability for years while his mother, Meltonia, struggled to make ends met. His baby sister died a horrific death from West Nile Virus while Fitzhugh was a freshman at State. Like every football player, Fitzhugh wanted to play in the Super Bowl. The Jets will likely make the playoffs and could go to the Super Bowl but his family is more important.

“I would rather be there for my mom and dad than go for a Super Bowl chance.” 

Currently, he has a good job with decent health insurance so why take a chance on something ephemeral? While an English Premier League player would not face the same dilemma, Fitzhugh’s athletic skill set probably does not transfer to the soccer pitch either.

Sports, finances and a feel-good story at Christmas, does it get better?

“I didn’t want to take a risk and lose everything again especially when I have a great job.” Financial planning is not just investment planning but envisioning what life may be like five, 10, 20 or 50 years down the road.

I haven’t had as much fun since I got a Baltimore Colts uniform for Christmas. I’m living in paradise.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Buz Livingston is a certified financial planner. He operates Livingston Financial Planning Inc. focusing on hourly financial planning and investment management. Contact him directly at 850-267-1068 or at buz@LivingstonFinancial.net.