FORMER NFL star Darren Waller revealed he suffered a worrying medical emergency during last season with the New York Giants.
The 31-year-old Waller shared the unspecified emergency medical event in a retirement video on Sunday.
Darren Waller revealed during his retirement video that he suffered a medical emergency last season with the New York Giants
GettyThe 31-year-old dealt with the medical episode a week after he suffered a hamstring injury last October[/caption]
While announcing his NFL retirement on a YouTube video, Waller revealed that he was hospitalized last November after calling paramedics to his New Jersey residence when he had trouble breathing.
“It was a very scary situation,” the former tight end said. “I ended up going to the hospital for 3 ½ days. Couldn’t stand up and … use the bathroom or feed myself. It was an experience that would sober somebody up and make them think, at least.
“I say all that because … I go back into my daily life, and it’s pretty clear I almost just lost my life. And I don’t know if I really feel like I would’ve felt great about how my life was going if I died at the time.”
Waller has become an advocate for mental health after dealing with drug and alcohol addiction.
He was given a one-year suspension from the NFL in 2017 and went on to earn a Pro Bowl selection for the Raiders.
The Giants acquired Waller last March and his one season in New York was ravaged by a hamstring injury he suffered on October 29.
But the following week, Waller felt he had a fever while driving home from shooting a music video.
He was “shaking uncontrollably” and started “losing consciousness” in his house.
“I kept nodding [off] and couldn’t breathe, so I ended up calling 911,” Waller said.
“I think I’m talking clearly on the phone, but they can’t make out much of what I’m saying.”
Waller then shared he tripped onto his couch while he waited for the emergency workers.
“I’m there breathing deeply and in between each breath, I’m yelling out, ‘Help!’” he said.
“So maybe I could wake the neighbors up. I don’t know how long the time was — it felt like forever — and I’m like, ‘Damn, I’m dying on this couch and nobody knows.’ It was kind of similar to my overdose — like the power plug being pulled out and I couldn’t breathe anymore.”
Waller thought he was dealing with his third case of COVID-19.
GettyThe 2020 Pro Bowler Waller played 12 games last season with the Giants[/caption]
He added that the incident caused him to be in the hospital for three and a half days.
Waller said the experience changed his way of thinking about life.
“I’m doing something [football] that I found a lot of joy in … but the passion has slowly been fading,” he said.
“I feel like I spent most of my life doing what I should be doing.
“I’ve been a people-pleaser my whole life — somebody that has struggled with worth, confidence, feeling valuable.”
Waller made indications throughout the offseason that he was leaning toward leaving the game of football.
“Thank you to the Giants,” he said. “Welcomed me in, making me feel like family and giving me an opportunity to reflect in this time and make a decision.”
The 2020 Pro Bowler will be walking away from $35 million over the final three years of his contract.
