Today’s athlete isn’t quite the same as the athletes of 20 or 30 years ago.   It’s just a new era.  Players aren’t just players anymore.  They are marketed, “engineered,” and turned into commodities.  It’s an entire discussion for another day but one could argue that sports themselves turn players into who they are, which for the most part of greedy, self absorbed prima donnas.

Rarely do you see a great display of sportsmanship anymore and God forbid a player give up 6 cents to play for a team he truly wants to play for.  But amazingly there are still some good souls left who just want to win or do good in this world.   Some players actually don’t just think about money!

Here are five admirable moves where great players took less money….

Karl Malone and Gary Payton to the Lakers

Remember this move?  It was back in 2003 when Payton and Malone were kind of nearing the end of their careers.   Malone went from over $19 million to $1.5 million.  Not bad.   Payton wound up making the mid level exception of $4.9 million.  For two hall of fame caliber players this was a real statement about wanting to win.  Too bad they didn’t win.  Still though, it was nice to see.

Paul Pierce On the Celtics

Pierce easily could have shopped and marketed himself around to plenty of teams that would have paid a higher price than the $60 million he got for four years.  No, it’s not like he took the league minimum or anything but he demonstrated to fans that he wants to stay a Celtic and that’s pretty cool in my book.  In this day and age of money, there isn’t too much loyalty anymore and it was nice to see Pierce do this deal and do it without hesitation.

Shaquille O’Neal – This Year

For a guy that’s used to making between $20-25 million per year, signing a 2 year deal for $3 million to try to win after he’s already won quite a bit is a pretty cool move.   Remember folks, Shaq might be older and not quite as good, but he’s still Shaq and could easily make over $10 million somewhere else.   To stay in the league because he still wants to win is admirable.

Tom Brady’s Last Contract

Everyone knows about Brady’s $72 million for the next four years but you’d be surprised at what he was making after he was undoubtedly the best quarterback in the league.   Of course the guy was due.  Let’s not forget Brady’s last deal was for $48 Million for 4 years.  This year he’s only making $6.5 Million.   Brady could have easily shopped himself around back then.  Remember he had two Superbowls under his belt but he stayed a Patriot.

Pat Tillman – 2003

Here’s a case of taking no money.  None.  You sure as hell don’t see this often.  Apparently the Rams were offering Tillman big money but Pat decided to join the Army Rangers instead.   His Army salary?  $18,000.   He turned down over 3 million dollars.   He will be missed.