Backstage With Mike Anderson: From Marine Boot Camp To NFL Big Bucks

By Tamar Fleishman

Winter 2007-08

Mike Anderson played drums in his Fairfield, S.C., high school marching band. He didn’t compete in sports.

But after graduating from high school, he joined the Marine Corps, where he developed the desire to compete and excel. He served in the Corps for four years.

Anderson began his football career in community college, at Mt. San Jacinto in California (1996-97), then went on to the University of Utah. He burst onto the NFL scene with the Denver Broncos in 2000, exploding for 1,487 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, and was named NFL Rookie of the Year by USA Today.

After missing the entire 2004 season with injuries, Anderson bounced back in 2005 with 1,014 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent in 2006, contributing to the Ravens’ giddy 13-3 record as a backup running back.

Military Money met Mike at the Ravens’ training camp in Westminister, Md. After a full day of practice, Anderson talked about football, money and the military.

MM: How did you decide to enter the military?

Anderson: It was right out of high school. I ran into a Marine recruiter. I always liked the idea of serving in the military. I liked the slogan, too: “The Few. The Proud. The Marines.” I liked the exclusivity of it. I became a corporal, an E-4.

MM: Did you have family in the military?

Anderson: I had one cousin who was in the Marines for 20 years and a cousin who was in the Army. So I certainly wasn’t unfamiliar with the service. But I joined because it was something I wanted to do.

MM: Compare boot camp to football training camp.

Anderson: Neither one is easy. I was at Parris Island for three months. From sunup to sundown, it was Marine Corps, baby! You had to get it all down perfectly, because otherwise you could be looking at the loss of life for your fellow Marine or even your own. Here [with the team], I could be looking at the loss of a job. But that’s not the same as a loss of life.

MM: Did you ever get on a Marine DI’s bad side?

Anderson: I was always on their bad side! I was the guide in the platoon; I carried the flag. Whoever makes a mistake, the guide has to pay the price.

MM: With your leadership skills, have you ever wanted to be a quarterback?

Anderson: Yes, but maybe not throwing like I do! I have my Marine Corps leadership training that would be good for a quarterback, when the guys are looking at you. When you’re down 20-0, the quarterback still has to show confidence. Without that swagger, there’s despair. It trickles down.

MM: What lessons of the Marine Corps have you taken into football?

Anderson: Quite a few. The discipline, work habits, motivation… I think of those things every day. The Marine Corps is first and foremost about pride. The NFL is also a select few. It’s a brotherhood between all the teams.

MM: Do you think you look at things differently, having served in the Marines?

Anderson: I think I do. I have a different outlook than other people. I have been in the real world. I learned to be a communicator in the Marine Corps. We play a game for a living, and I am very mindful that for me to be able to support my family by playing a game is a blessing.

MM: What did you do with your first big paycheck?

Anderson: I took a couple of days and looked at it in awe. I thought they put some extra zeros in there! I still have every pay stub, even pay stubs going back to the Marine Corps. It’s a reality check - I used to live in barracks!

MM: Do you manage your own money?

Anderson: Yes. I have financial advisors, but you always need to know what’s going on with your own money. I pick my advisors by sitting down, doing the research. There’s no substitute for sitting face to face with them; I can tell pretty quickly if I get a good feeling.

MM: Do you have investments?

Anderson: I’m a landlord. I’m not big on stocks. I’m looking at starting a restaurant, too – a soul food restaurant in Colorado. I’m a Southern guy. I know people will like it!

MM: How would you describe your investing style?

Anderson: I gauge it every couple of months, more or less. You can’t sit on your hands. I’m a perfectionist. Any guy who makes it to this level is.

MM: What is a splurge for you?

Anderson: I like spending on my family, my kids [two sons and a daughter]. It’s not even that much. I got my son a low-rider bike. We bought it in Arizona and his face lit up.

MM: What’s a waste of money for you?

Anderson: Cars, with their depreciation. You can’t drive a car off the lot without losing 25 percent of its value.

MM: What special expenses do you have as a football player?

Anderson: Shoes and clothes for traveling. But I can get them at Nordstrom, right off the rack. You don’t need custom stuff, unless your neck and shoulders are out to there!

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Tamar Alexia Fleishman is an attorney and writer in Baltimore. She served in the U.S. Air Force, her father served in the Indiana National Guard and her grandfather was a highly decorated Army surgeon who served as family physician to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. She may be reached at tfleishman@toad.net.

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