New York Giants Tight end Darren Waller announced his shocking decision to retire from the NFL at age 31 in a video posted to social media over the weekend.
However, in the nearly 18-minute video posted to YouTube on Sunday, the veteran NFL player spoke about a terrifying medical emergency that he said played a role in making that decision.
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller, #12, in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on December 25, 2023. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Waller, who played one season in New York last year, said he was injured during the Giants' Week 8 loss to the New York Jets, forcing him to remain in rehab while the Giants traveled to Las Vegas for their game against the Raiders.
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During that time, Waller said she also filmed the music video for her single “Faith Test.” However, she was on her way home when the ex NFL player He said he started not feeling well, thinking it might be another bout of COVID.
“By the time I pull into the parking lot of my condo and get out of the car, I'm shaking pretty violently, uncontrollably, to the point of thinking, 'This is a little weird, a little different. This is just going to be a little harder than before.' , i guess.'”
Waller said he tried to sleep, but woke up early the next morning unable to breathe. He then called 911.
“It was a very scary situation. I ended up going to the hospital; I was there for three and a half days… It was an experience that would at least help someone sober up and think.”
Darren Waller, number 12 of the New York Giants, runs onto the field before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on October 2, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
DARREN WALLER, 31, OF THE GIANTS, ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE NFL
“And I say all that because I come out of that experience and I'm sitting in the hospital and I go back to my daily life, and it's pretty clear that I almost lost my life,” he continued. “And I don't know if I really feel like if he had died, I would have felt very good about how my life was going if he had died at that time.”
Waller did not elaborate on the cause of the medical episode, but he did say it forced him to take a closer look and examine his life, including his marriage and football.
“I'm doing something where I found a lot of joy and had incredible moments, but the passion has been slowly fading.”
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller, #12, catches the ball during the first half of a game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on October 22, 2023. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Waller was limited to 12 games and had 52 receptions for 552 yards and a touchdown in his only season with the Giants. He has been open about his struggle with addiction, as well as dealing with depression and anxiety.
“I am eternally grateful for football,” he said. “I wouldn't be able to have this conversation or think things through or be reflective if it weren't for the opportunity to save my life and go to rehab, which the NFL offered me. They also gave me a chance to reset myself to get back out into the world and do something productive.” , set an example, be a leader, make a difference in my job, but also in everyday life wherever I go.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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