Nov 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) reacts during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) reacts during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
NBA All-Star Norman Powell recently appeared on a livestream with N3on, a renowned YouTuber, and discussed an alternative career path where he could have followed his passion for football, among other things.
He revealed he had a path to the NFL but candidly admitted he rejected it because he lacked faith in the professional league.
“At UCLA, the coaches wanted me to try out for the team. But I’m cool with all the… The money is not great because it’s not fully guaranteed. Health insurance isn’t that great. I don’t rock with how they don’t take care of their players.”
“All the CTE stuff, they sweep it under the rug. I don’t mess with the whole football industry, even though I love watching it. I don’t like how they treat their players,” Norman Powell said.
The former NBA champion signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Chicago Bulls this summer after earning his first All-Star selection in 2025-26. He did so after averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, shooting 47.0% from the field and 38.0% from behind the three-point line.
For him to have seen a similar contract in the NFL, Powell would need to be a superstar among a 53-man roster, while in the NBA he needs to be one among 15. Moreover, the NFL’s health insurance mostly extends only to five years after retirement, while in the NBA it extends for life.
Additionally, there have been a lot of controversies about football players suffering Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which, until 2016, the NFL had downplayed any correlation with concussions that players suffer due to regular head injuries. Hence, Powell may have made the right choice to pick basketball for a safer career.
Norman Powell Discusses Post-Retirement Plans
Following this conversation at a restaurant with N3on, Powell went on a drive with the YouTuber, where he spoke about how he envisions his life after the NBA.
“Very chill, very quiet. I might disappear. I might just go to Europe,” Powell said before telling N3on that he would text, call, and still be in touch, but would likely only meet physically when no cameras are watching.
For a former NBA champion and All-Star, the San Diego-native Norman Powell would find it difficult to stay away from cameras across the USA even after his retirement. So he may move overseas.
In the end, Norman Powell’s choice to play basketball rather than football paid off, both financially and professionally. Looking ahead to life after the NBA, Powell seems eager for seclusion and a more sedate lifestyle; whether he stays in the USA or moves to Europe, his post-retirement plans remain intriguing.