New York Giants tight finish Darren Waller introduced his stunning resolution to retire from the NFL at age 31 in a video posted to social media over the weekend.
However, within the practically 18-minute lengthy video posted to YouTube on Sunday, the veteran NFL participant opened up a few terrifying medical emergency that he says performed a giant function in making that call.
New York Giants tight finish Darren Waller, #12, within the tunnel in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Dec. 25, 2023. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Waller, who performed one season in New York final yr, mentioned that he was injured throughout the Giants’ Week 8 loss to the New York Jets, which compelled him to stay again and rehab because the Giants traveled to Las Vegas for his or her sport in opposition to the Raiders.
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During that point, Waller mentioned he additionally recorded the music video for his single “Faith Test.” However, it was on the best way residence that the previous NFL participant mentioned he started to not really feel nicely, pondering it may be one other bout of COVID.
“By the time I pull into my parking storage at my apartment and get out the automobile, I’m shaking fairly violently, uncontrollably to the place I used to be like ‘This is a bit bizarre, a bit completely different. This one’s simply going to be a bit harder than earlier than, I suppose.’”
Waller mentioned he tried to sleep it off, however he wakened early the subsequent morning unable to breathe. He then known as 911.
“It was a really scary state of affairs. I ended up going to the hospital – was in there for 3 and half days… It was an expertise that may sober someone up and make them assume, at the least.”
Darren Waller, #12 of the New York Giants, runs onto the sector previous to a sport in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 2, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
GIANTS’ DARREN WALLER, 31, ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM NFL
“And I say all that as a result of I come out of that have and I’m sitting within the hospital and I’m going again into my every day life, and I’m prefer it’s fairly clear I virtually simply misplaced my life,” he continued. “And I don’t know if I actually really feel like if I might’ve died that I might’ve felt nice about how my life was going if I died on the time.”
Waller didn’t elaborate on what brought about the medical episode, however he did say that it compelled him to take a more in-depth look and look at his life, together with his marriage and soccer.
“I’m doing one thing that I discovered loads of pleasure in and have had superb moments with, however the ardour has slowly been fading.”
New York Giants tight finish Darren Waller, #12, catches the ball throughout the first half of a sport in opposition to the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Oct. 22, 2023. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Waller was restricted to 12 video games and had 52 catches for 552 yards and a landing in his solely season with the Giants. He has been open about his struggles with habit, in addition to coping with despair and anxiousness.
“I’m eternally grateful for the sport of soccer,” he mentioned. “I wouldn’t be capable to have this dialog or to assume issues by means of or be self-reflective if it wasn’t for a chance to save lots of my life and go to rehab, which the NFL provided me. They additionally gave me a chance to reestablish myself to come back again into the world and do one thing productive, present an instance, be a pacesetter, be a distinction maker in my craft, but additionally simply within the day after day wherever I’m going.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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