Giants TE Waller Retires After 8 NFL Seasons

31-year-old New York Giants tight end Darren Waller announced his retirement in a YouTube video, citing a fading passion for the game. Waller shared that a serious health scare last November forced him to re-evaluate his priorities. He spent time in the hospital unable to stand, feed himself, or use the bathroom, which made him contemplate his life choices. While not disclosing the specific medical condition, Waller expressed gratitude for his football career, saying it helped him through past struggles with addiction and allowed him to be reflective and self-aware. The Giants had already anticipated Waller’s retirement and released a statement expressing respect for him as a person and player. After spending the offseason pondering his decision, Waller decided to retire and focus on his music career. His one season with the Giants saw him play 12 games, making 52 receptions for 552 yards and one touchdown. Throughout his career, Waller amassed 350 receptions, 4,124 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 86 games. The Giants will save $11.9 million against the cap through a post-June 1 cut with Waller.