$52 Million Later, I Still Wonder: Did I Bet on the Wrong Career?” — Taysom Hill’s Shocking Confession About Choosing the NFL Over Wall Street
Taysom Hill is one of the most versatile athletes to ever grace an NFL field. From quarterback to tight end, fullback to special teams weapon, Hill has carved out a unique legacy in professional football — and earned a staggering $52 million doing it. But in a surprising admission, the New Orleans Saints star has revealed that he came very close to leaving the gridiron behind… for Wall Street.
“The NFL, that’s always been my No. 1 goal,” Hill told USA Today in a resurfaced 2015 interview. “But I’ve had two season-ending injuries. I’m not stupid. I know things can change just like that.”
That perspective came during his college days at BYU, after suffering his second major injury. While most young athletes would double down on their NFL dreams, Hill chose to pivot — at least temporarily. He secured a highly competitive internship at Pelion Venture Partners, a venture capital firm in Salt Lake City that specializes in early-stage tech startups. Instead of spending the offseason training or attending quarterback camps, Hill spent his summer building financial models and pitching investors in New York boardrooms.
“I had no idea what went on on Wall Street,” Hill recalled. “But I started to see the opportunities and I loved it. It filled the void of not being able to play.”
During his time with Pelion, Hill was involved in efforts to raise more than $200 million for a new venture fund, sitting in on meetings with global investors. He was building a life — and a future — that had nothing to do with football. The decision to ultimately return to the field came with risk, especially for a player with multiple injuries and no guaranteed NFL future.
“It wasn’t a glamorous path,” Hill admitted. “I went undrafted. I could’ve been done before I even started.”
But fate had other plans. After a short stint on the Green Bay Packers practice squad, Hill was claimed by the Saints in 2017. From there, his legend grew. Known as a Swiss Army knife, Hill dazzled fans with his ability to throw, run, catch, block, and tackle — all at an elite level. In 2020, he signed a two-year, $21 million contract extension. Two years later, the Saints handed him a four-year deal worth $40 million.
And yet, the question lingers.
“$52 million later, I still wonder sometimes,” Hill said recently. “Would I have done better chasing that Wall Street life? I’ll never know. But I don’t regret betting on myself.”
Now 35 and recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season, Hill finds himself at a crossroads. Whether he plays in 2025 or decides to pivot once again, his story is a rare one — a tale of brains, brawn, and bold decisions.
Taysom Hill isn’t just an athlete. He’s a reminder that success isn’t always one-dimensional. And that even for those who’ve made it, the “what ifs”
never fully disappear.
