Entering the 2016 season, Manti Te'o thought he had a chance to earn a lucrative contract with a strong performance.
He was entering the final year of his contract with the Chargers was a captain and starting inside linebacker.
"I was told all I had to do was play 16 games, and I would get paid," Te'o said this week.
Through two games, Te'o had 14 tackles, including two for loss. Then, in the third game, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon, ending his season as well as his hopes of a high-priced contract.
"I've been training to play football since I was 5 years old," he said.