Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris signed a contract worth $2.25 million in May 2012, yet he still drives a 1991 Mazda 626 (which, by our estimation, is worth roughly $1,500 at the “high retail” price).
Instead of purchasing a new car, Morris decided he was too attached to this one, which he calls “Bentley,” and had it refurbished.
According to Joe Student of Busted Coverage, Morris had the following work done:
• fully overhauled engine
• new brakes
• new exhaust system
• leather interior
• new radio featuring a CD player and a navigation system
• back-up camera
No word on whether Xzibit was involved.
Ludacris still drives his 93 Acura legend that he bought when he was in high school, and I’ve seen a few posts on Honda boards about professional athletes building their 90 something honda civic that they’ve owned forever. I think it’s pretty cool, and if it makes them happy who are we to judge?
Damn this had to cost a lot of scratch, look at that cancer they cut out.
If I had money beyond my wildest dreams (enough to support my family for life, etc) and I wasn’t a car guy (clearly he isn’t) i’d absolutely do this. It just wouldn’t be on my first car, i’d never put money back into that piece of shit Saturn SL1.
Six figures on a 2.5 Million dollar contract isn’t a ton. Take into account any cooperate sponsors he might have and it probably isn’t really a hit to his wallet. Plus, I’m sure that Mazda threw him a bone knowing they would get some publicity out of it…
Back in July, Morris temporarily traded in his 626 – cheekily named Bentley – for a 2014 Mazda6 loaner courtesy of Mazda, and today the sedan was presented back to him after the ultimate PR stunt: a reported 275-man-hour restoration that left this 22-year-old daily driver looking like it just rolled off the assembly line
Also interesting:
According to Jalopnik, Morris bought the car back in his college days from his pastor for just $2.
