Things can change fast.
This is what NFL tight end Darren Waller is experiencing after announcing his retirement from the game.
He became $51 million richer two years ago after signing a contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. He got traded to the New York Giants the next season and played 12 games there.
Read more: Jaguars Refuse to Learn WR Lesson as They Offer Full Contract to Rookie Brian Thomas Jr.
He will live a private life now, having unceremoniously decided to hang his cleats after an eight-year NFL career.
"I've decided to retire from the game of football," Waller said on Instagram.
"To God: what a journey, and thank you. We took it way farther than I ever could have imagined! So grateful for all the ppl I've been able to connect and create memories with along the way. We still got plenty more life left to live. Love you all. Peace."
Giants let Darren Waller go
The Giants welcomed the 31-year-old's decision.
"We have great respect for Darren as a person and player. We wish him nothing but the best," the organization said in a statement.
His retirement surprised many fans, given his age and how he improved in the past seasons.
Waller was drafted 204th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 and worked his way up since then.
He started as the sixth wide receiver on the team's depth chart and was suspended twice, one for the whole season, for banned substance abuse.
He was waived in 2018 but then found a home with the Las Vegas Raiders and was rewarded with a huge contract by 2022.
Motivation is why he is retiring, something he hinted at in an interview with The Athletic in March this year.
"I'm undecided at the moment," he said when asked about his playing career.
The interview was conducted in Las Vegas after he finished shooting a music video for a song he was about to release.
His hesitation to return for another season stems from his lack of motivation. His health status is just one of the many reasons why he can't entertain another season of professional American football.
"That's part of the equation," Waller said when asked about his injury history.
"But that's not the driving force behind making the decision. It isn't just frustration from a health standpoint. It's a lot deeper than that."
Darren Waller's two loves—Kelsey Plum and American football
Waller has had a tumultuous offseason. He shot the music video in March, and it turned out that the MV was for a song about his divorce from WNBA star Kelsey Plum.
News of the divorce came out only last month.
The two started dating in 2022 and tied the knot in 2023.
Plum described the separation as "tough" for her.
"I'm devastated. I walked through fire for that man, but now I see it's time to go," she wrote on her Instagram account story.
Waller released the music video early this month featuring a girl with similar features to Plum.
Although Waller is no longer with two things he loves-his ex-wife and American football-he said in his retirement video that he is excited about the next steps of his life.
Related article: Aces' Kelsey Plum Breaks Silence on Heartbreaking Divorce With Darren Waller
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
