Dolphins defensive lineman seeking to make extra cash as Uber driver
If you're in South Florida, you request an Uber driver and you're getting picked up by A.J. in a Dodge Charger, you might be in for one heck of an interesting ride.
That's because it could be the automobile of Miami Dolphins defensive lineman A.J. Francis, who is looking to supplement his income ... as an Uber driver. Pending him passing the application process, of course.
Just applied to be an @Uber driver... I hope my background check goes well.
— A.J. Francis (@AJFrancis410) April 23, 2015
An undrafted free agent from Maryland in 2013, Francis spent all last season on injured reserve and has yet to take the field in a regular-season game. His football future unknown, Francis decided to be a smart businessman.
"It would be a cool way to get some extra cash," Francis said, via the New York Daily News.
As the story gained legs, Francis felt compelled to explain himself.
People ask me why would you want to be an @uber driver if you play in the NFL... You know what's better than NFL money? More money.
— A.J. Francis (@AJFrancis410) April 23, 2015
Eventually, he added this:
The fact that this became a massive news story forever proves that football players aren't seen as human lol
— A.J. Francis (@AJFrancis410) April 23, 2015
His ride is a new, souped-up white Dodge Charger with black trim, so if you're in or around Fort Lauderdale, keep your eyes peeled — it could be Francis. He plans to go old school and shuttle regular people around in it all offseason, up to four hours a day, much like the players back in the day did, working a second job when football was out of season.
Dolphins OTAs start Monday, so Francis will have to hang the keys up for a few days while that is going on and focus on football. But then it's back to the grind for his moonlighting gig. One that could end up paying off nicely unless the Uber bubble suddenly bursts.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm