Expected means before you actually make the NFL. As an average HS player, your expected income is the average career NFL salary ($3M) multiplied by your prior probability of making it (0.025%). or about $1000.

Expected earnings for an average high school level programmer is, even over the same three years, much, much higher.

> via your own example, a coder earns 3 million over 30 years,
> compared to a football player who earns 3 million of 3 years.
> i think the math is pretty clear that it pays to be a football player. > after the 3 years are up, you walk away with great health,
> a lot of money, and time to use that money well, or not, it's up to
> them.

You got the math wrong, ignored proven health risks for NFL players, and turned a blind eye to readily available information on the actual outcomes for ex-NFL players. 16% of ex-NFL players are bankrupt 12 years out of the league**.

** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_finances_of_professional_American_athletes