In a nearly 18-minute video posted on his YouTube channel, the 31-year-old Waller confirmed he’s stepping away from the game after spending the last several months mulling his future.
FILE - New York Giants tight end Darren Waller gestures after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Waller announced his retirement from playing football, Sunday, June 9, 2024, saying he “found a lot of joy” in the sport, but "the passion has slowly been fading.”
Waller detailed a “very scary” medical situation last November while dealing with an injury suffered in a a game a few days earlier. He said he was going home in New Jersey after shooting a music video when he began feeling ill and later started “shaking like pretty violently” and couldn’t breathe. He said he called 911 and ended up hospitalized for 3 1/2 days.
Waller, who dealt with hamstring issues the last three years, was limited to 12 games and had 52 catches for 552 yards and a touchdown in his only season with the Giants. He was due to make $10.5 million in 2024 and count $14.1 million against the salary cap. With his retirement, the Giants save $11.6 million in cap money and take a $2.5 million hit in dead money.
“I’m eternally grateful for the game of football,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to have this conversation or to think things through or be self-reflective if it wasn’t for an opportunity to save my life and go to rehab, which the NFL offered me. They also gave me an opportunity to reestablish myself to come back into the world and do something productive, provide an example, be a leader, be a difference maker in my craft, but also just in the day to day wherever I go.
His breakout seasons came in 2019 and ‘20, when he had a combined 197 catches for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the 2020 season and would have also gone the previous year as an alternate, but a thumb injury prevented that.
National-Football-League @Topstories @Pvigna
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Giants Darren Waller Informs Giants He Is RetiringAs expected, Waller goes one and done with the Giants.
Les mer »
Giants veteran tight end Darren Waller retires at age 31New York Giants tight end Darren Waller announced his retirement from playing football, saying he “found a lot of joy” in the sport, but “the passion has slowly been fading.
Les mer »
Despite Health Woes, Giants' Darren Waller Still Regarded as a Top Tight EndWaller is contemplating retiring and is believed to be nearing a decision soon.
Les mer »
Giants TE Darren Waller retiring from NFL at age 31Giants tight end Darren Waller is retiring from the NFL at age 31.
Les mer »
What Darren Waller's retirement means for the New York GiantsQuarterback Daniel Jones and the Giants will rely on first-round pick Malik Nabers to be the No. 1 receiver.
Les mer »
Giants' Darren Waller, 31, announces retirement from NFLDarren Waller, 31, announced Sunday he is retiring from the NFL after nine seasons, the latest of which was with the New York Giants.
Les mer »