After eight seasons in the NFL, Darren Waller announced his retirement on Sunday night via a YouTube video.
The 31-year-old tight end shared that a near-death experience last November heavily influenced his decision to step away from football. Waller described a terrifying medical emergency where he struggled severely to breathe.
“I kept nodding off and couldn’t breathe, so I ended up calling 911,” Waller recounted. “I thought I was speaking clearly on the phone, but they could barely understand me.”
He continued, “I was there, breathing deeply, and between each breath, I was yelling out, ‘Help!’ hoping maybe my neighbors would hear. I don’t know how long it was—it felt like forever—and I’m thinking, ‘Damn, I’m dying here on this couch, and nobody knows.’ It reminded me of my overdose; it was like the power plug was pulled, and I just couldn’t breathe.”
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Waller, who has openly discussed his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction that led to an overdose in 2017, has since been a vocal advocate for mental health. “It was a very scary situation,” he said. “I ended up in the hospital for three and a half days, unable to stand up, use the bathroom, or feed myself. It was an experience that really makes you think.”
Reflecting on his life and career, Waller shared, “After that, returning to my daily life, it was pretty clear I almost just lost it. And I’m not sure I would have felt good about how things were if I had died then. I’ve enjoyed football immensely, but my passion for it has been slowly fading.”
Waller retires as a two-time 1,000-yard receiver, having been drafted in the sixth round by Baltimore in 2015. His career included stints with the Ravens, Raiders, and Giants.
