Dolphins player A J Francis moonlighting as a driver for Uber

Half a million dollar paycheck doesn’t come till July.

By Raif Karerat

WASHINGTON, DC: While A.J. Francis may be under contract to earn $510,000 this year in his third NFL season, paychecks don’t arrive until July and he isn’t even certain he’ll make the team.

Wanting some extra spending money, Francis turned to Uber, who has employed him since April and enables him to earn $40 to $50 dollars an hour.

According to Francis, being an Uber driver agrees with him since he enjoys meeting people. After his NFL career has run its course, he hopes to pursue a career in broadcasting, so he polishes his interviewing skills by videotaping conversations with passengers, and posts them on YouTube.

Francis recently finished his third semester studying for a master’s degree in international security and economic policy, and he sounds like an economist talking about Uber’s impact on the market, according to the Associated Press.

“Everywhere Uber is, it thrives,” he said. “The resistance comes from taxi drivers who don’t want to get beat out, because they know they can’t compete. Which is funny to me, because in no other aspect of American culture are you allowed to stifle capitalism.”

While the Dolphins have had a kicker hurt playing kickball this offseason, they have no issues with his side job, reported NBC Sports.

Francis said he appreciates the flexibility Uber offered as a part-time vocation. He tries to work at least three days a week, in shifts of four to five hours, but said he’ll stop driving for pay once training camp starts.

Not one rider has recognized the 6-foot-5, 330-pound Francis as an NFL player to date, which doesn’t surprise him. He was undrafted out of the University of Maryland, has spent much of his pro career on practice squads, and has yet to make an appearance in an official NFL game, according to the AP.

“People just think I’m some big dude in a nice car,” he said. “I tell them at the end of the interview who I am, and the shock on their face is really funny.”