Almost exactly four years ago, then-Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Russell Okung took half of his $13 million salary for the 2020 season and had his employer deposit the money into a crypto product from Zap called “Strike” which purchased Bitcoin with the funds.

In 2020, Russell Okung’s salary was $13 million, half of which he requested to be paid in Bitcoin. After he went viral this week, Okung finally broke his silence and spoke to the naysayers who thought he was crazy and others who advised him not to do this.

Former NFL player Russell Okung is launching Bitball, a new flag football league that will pay players exclusively in Bitcoin, with its first game scheduled for December 10 in Abu Dhabi.

Another blindside starter that didn't work out was Russell Okung, who played seven games in 2020 and then retired. While Okung won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks early in his career, he is most-famous for converting half of his salary with the ...

Former Seahawks and Panthers OT Russell Okung held on for dear life, and it has worked out in his favor. Okung shocked many in the sports world when he announced he would receive half his 2020 salary in Bitcoin.

The Bitball league will let players earn in Bitcoin, aiming to cut out middlemen and create lasting wealth for athletes, Okung told Decrypt.

The former offensive tackle was the first NFL player ever to be paid in bitcoin back in 2020. See what his money is worth today.

NFL players are embracing cryptocurrency. Russell Okung, a former player, made history by receiving part of his salary in Bitcoin. His investment tripled in value. Inspired by Okung, Tom Brady became a cryptocurrency advocate.

Russell Okung's bet on Bitcoin four years ago when he was a member of the Carolina Panthers is paying off handsomely. Per Amit Kumar Jha of