On the field, Jevon Kearse terrorized opposing offenses at both Florida and in the NFL. Off the field, however, he was the one being terrorized — financially speaking.
Kearse is reported to have invested $1 million in a failed Dothan, AL, bingo hall called Center Stage. A bankruptcy filing from September includes $68 million in losses on the property, including as much as $43.6 million from NFL players.
“The Freak” appears to be just one of the many victims of Jeff Rubin, a financial advisor who was able to convince Kearse and dozens of other NFL players to make shady investments through his company, Pro Sports Financial.
Kearse last played in the NFL in 2009. He was a force to be reckoned with early in his career, making the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons (1999–2001). Fans still marvel at his 1999 rookie season, in which he set a rookie mark for sacks (14.5) and won league Defensive Player of the Year honors.
At Florida, Kearse earned first team All-America and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in his junior season in 1998. He also won a national title as a freshman, in 1996. Although he is no longer playing, Kearse’s name lives on through nephew Jayron, a four-star Rivals prospect who committed to Clemson in August.
Kearse’s Gators, undefeated and ranked No. 3, take on South Carolina this Saturday. Jevon Kearse profile
