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Akers says he lost $3.7 million

David Akers could no doubt kick himself.

The financial troubles of the former Eagles placekicker who is now with the 49ers have been previously reported, but Monday he testified before a federal grand jury in Austin, Texas, that he lost $3.7 million in an alleged Ponzi scheme from 2007 to 2009.

Akers claims he got bad investment advice from Kurt Barton, the former chief executive of Triton Financial.

"I've had a lot of sleepless nights," Akers told the Austin American-Statesman. "This is my family's future. I said that to Kurt a lot of times. I said, 'Man I'm trusting in you.' "

According to the NFL salary database compiled by USA Today, Akers earned $12.1 million during his career with the Eagles, topped by $3.37 million in 2005. That includes a $1 million signing bonus.

Akers, 36, signed a 3-year deal with the 49ers last month.

Prosecutors contend Barton lied to investors while building a $50 million Ponzi scheme.

Akers said that he invested in real estate purchases and in a health club Triton was developing in San Antonio. He initially ponied up $75,000 to purchase a plot of land that could be used to build a small stadium or an amphitheatre.

Akers said he also gave Barton money for an insurance company that was never purchased, for an athletic center Triton rehabilitated in San Antonio and for land for another athletic center. According to testimony, the second purchase never happened but Triton told investors that it did.

Barton, however, claims he made a series of bad business decisions but did nothing illegal.

Safety Sean Considine — now with the Jaguars — and quarterbacks Koy and Ty Detmer are former Eagles who also claim they lost money in the venture.

Reportedly, it was Koy Detmer, playing with the Eagles at the time, who introduced Barton to Akers and Considine. Koy and Ty Detmer would both work for Triton after their playing careers.

Barton faces numerous criminal charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud and money-laundering.