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After nine seasons with three different teams, Darren Waller decided to walk away from the NFL after the 2023 season.
He appeared in 12 games with New York Giants in what turned out to be the last year in his NFL career. Last June, Waller admitted in a video sent to his YouTube channel, his “passion” for football “, has slowly faded.”
“I’ve decided to retire from the football game,” he wrote on Instagram. “To God: What a journey, and thank you. We took it far further than I could ever have imagined! So grateful for all the ppl I have been able to connect and create memories along the way. We still have a lot more life left to live. Love you all. Peace.”
Waller was 31 years old when he decided to call it ending.
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Darren Waller from New York Giants runs on the field before a game against Seattle Seahawks at Metlife Stadium 2 October 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
When Waller hit the one-year mark for his NFL pension, the previous tight end shared some insight into his surprising decision. Waller said it took a handful of a game in his lonely season with Giants to realize he was ready to retire.
Darren Waller reflects on divorce and retirement, says he had to ‘look in the mirror’
“I knew I was retiring when we played in Buffalo,” Waller said during a recent performance on “The Page You Don’t See” Podcast. “It was a game where it was really controversial because one of the guys kept me at the end and they didn’t call it.
Darren Waller from New York Giants during the first half of a Forsy Season match against Carolina Panthers at Metlife Stadium 18 August 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“It was in the first quarter of the game. We drove this counter lead that was running, and I’m a bit like leading through the hole as if I’m a fullback and the piece works. But I sit down on the sidelines for as a drive where we ran like three times and I’m like, what f — do I do with my life?
The moment had a lasting influence on Waller who said he was sitting on the sidelines staring up at the sky.
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller in the tunnel for a game against Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia December 25, 2023. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)
“I just look at the moon – it’s the early first quarter (or) second quarter – and no one else would really know that I think about this, but I’m on the sidelines like ‘Jepp. I will end this year to the best of my ability, but I’m definitely done after this year.'”
The bills surpassed Giants in the game and celebrated a 14-9 win.
Waller finished his short stint with Giants with 552 receiving yards and a touchdown. He had a turbulent season that included a brief hospitalization. He sustained a hamstring injury in week 8, which made him miss more games.
Away from the field, 2024 also marked the end of Waller’s marriage to WNBA star Kelsey Plum. The two requested divorce in Las Vegas in April 2024.
