What would you do with a $141 million paycheck over the next six years? A new car or two, a boat, a new home, exotic world travel?

If you're NFL superstar Khalil Mack — who just snagged that much cash in a record-breaking deal with the Chicago Bears last weekend — your plans sound more modest.

Mack, according to his father, Sandy Mack, has two goals: Giving back to his hometown Fort Pierce, and persuading his mother, Yolanda Mack, a school teacher at Lakewood Park Elementary School, to retire after more than 20 years with the St. Lucie County School District.

I spoke to Sandy Mack Wednesday, only one day after he and Yolanda got home from a whirlwind trip to Chicago to attend Khalil's signing ceremony with the Bears.

Khalil was traded by the Oakland Raiders and garnered the richest deal ever for a defensive player in the NFL. He will receive $141 million over six years, with $90 million guaranteed upfront.

Yet Sandy Mack is sure all that moolah won't go to Khalil's head.

"He really listens to our advice, and the church and his faith have given him a great grounding. I've shown him how to live out my faith, so he's seeing fatherhood in action," Sandy Mack told me.

The senior Mack made a point I've heard Khalil repeat.

"I taught him a long time ago 'you have my name and it'll affect us all if you go crazy.' I'm glad he listens to that, especially in his position."

Sandy Mack said the trade happened so quickly it took his breath away.

Rumors had been flying around the league the Raiders were about to trade their star defensive end.

"I hear half the league was interested," Sandy Mack said, "but in the end, it came down to the (San Francisco) 49ers, the Bears and the (New York) Jets. They were the teams prepared to give up two first-round picks for him."

Sandy Mack said he was leaving a funeral when a friend called him with the news. By last Sunday morning Sandy and Yolanda were flying to Chicago.

Sandy's first day back at his job as a program specialist for the Children's Services Council of St. Lucie County was Wednesday. His head was still in the clouds, he said.

"They decorated my office with blue and orange balloons and streamers," he said. "It's a great place to work, fantastic people."

Khalil and Sandy told me back in June they wanted to use some of the contract windfall to help put Fort Pierce back on its feet.

MORE: Two groups bid to bring mega-yachts to Fort Pierce

The Macks are part of a business group hoping to bring mega-yachts to the Port of Fort Pierce for refits and repairs. Their proposal, if accepted, could bring up to 900 jobs to a part of the city badly in need of good jobs.

The Fort Pierce Yacht & Ship group, which includes the Macks, Fort Lauderdale mega-yacht expert "Buddy" Haack and Treasure Coast auto dealer Sandy Woods, is waiting to learn whether its bid is successful.

St. Lucie County will decide between Fort Pierce Yacht & Ship and Derecktor Shipyards from Fort Lauderdale, hopefully within the next few weeks.

"(Khalil putting a sizable chunk of money toward the project) is definitely going to happen," Sandy Mack said. "We talked yesterday (Tuesday) about it. He hasn't decided yet how much he'll put in, but I think it will help support the city. We're both really excited about it."

A lot of people in Fort Pierce share that enthusiasm, especially as it comes from a favorite son, a Westwood High School grad who is such a great role model.

Sandy Mack does want one thing: to finally see his son show his talents to his new team and the world in Sunday's season-opener.

He can't wait. Neither can I.

Anthony Westbury is a columnist for Treasure Coast Newspapers. This column reflects his opinion. Contact him at 772-221-4220, anthony.westbury@tcpalm.com, or follow him on Twitter @TCPalmWestbury.