Three days after being released by the Dallas Cowboys, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announced he is retiring from the NFL.
Vander Esch missed 12 games in 2023 with a neck injury and was released Friday after failing a physical. It was the 28-year-old's fourth neck injury since 2019 and was deemed to threaten his career.
“I recognize that I can no longer live up to the unwavering standards of excellence required of professional football. I say this with a heavy heart. I am retiring from the NFL due to medical reasons,” Vander Esch said in a statement shared by the team. “We will do so,” the team said in a statement shared.
I loved soccer so much that my body couldn't move anymore. I cherished every moment of his NFL career and was very happy to be able to play in the NFL for as long as I have been playing. Things may look a little different for me this year, but my only focus is being a great husband and father to my loving family.
Leighton Vander Esch
After his first neck injury in 2019, Vander Esch was diagnosed with a narrow spinal column and underwent fusion surgery. His most recent injury occurred in Week 5 of last year against San Francisco when he was pushed from behind and hit his neck against the right leg of his teammate Micah Parsons.
Vander Esch suffered from neck problems during his time at Boise State before being drafted in the first round by the Cowboys, but he set a club rookie record with 176 tackles during his only Pro Bowl appearance.
Due to neck issues, Dallas rejected the five-year option on his rookie contract, but brought him back in 2022 on a one-year deal.
Vander Esch had one year left on his two-year contract.
Dallas Cowboys owner and longtime general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement that Vander Esch's passion and love for the game was “contagious” and he was a difference-maker from the moment he joined the team. Stated.
“It's not every day you come across a player like Leighton, someone who grew up playing 8-man football, played 11-man at the collegiate level for the first time, and excelled,” Jones said.
Jones also said Vander Esch was “a leader and a teammate who influenced those around him in the best possible way.”
“On behalf of the entire Dallas Cowboys organization, we are proud that he wore the star on his helmet. We thank him and wish Leighton, his wife Madalyn, and their young daughter all the best.” I pray,” Jones said.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Vander Esch set an example for his teammates on how to play and he will be greatly missed both in the locker room and on the field.
“Leighton is exactly the kind of player and person that coaches would feel very lucky to have on their team. His leadership, character, perseverance, dedication and will to win, not to mention his ability to play the game. Everything was at the highest level,” said Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. “Leighton impacted the team beyond defense. He set an example tone for all of our players as to how we want to play. Teammates like Leighton His presence is something that everyone on our staff and in our locker room cherishes so much and we will all miss him so much. I wish his daughter all the best and know he will continue to live life to the fullest.”
Vander Esch's statement
Leighton Vander Esch released the following unedited statement through the Dallas Cowboys.
Today is a difficult day for me, but it is also a day of reflection and gratitude. Playing for the Jones family, Coach Garrett, McCarthy, Marinelli, Richard, DQ, Bloom, George, AD and Scotty were some of the best days of my life. My dream of playing for the Dallas Cowboys became a reality on April 26, 2018. That night will be a night I will never forget. During my six years as a Cowboys player, I have always pursued success and winning in the game of football, preparing and training with the highest standards of competitiveness, passion and perseverance. I am honored to represent my family, my teammates, and the people of Dallas.
I recognize that I can no longer live up to the unwavering standards of excellence that professional football demands. I say this with a heavy heart. I am retiring from the NFL due to health reasons. I loved soccer so much that my body couldn't move anymore. I've cherished every moment of his NFL career, and it's been such a blessing to be able to play in the NFL for as long as I've been playing. Things may look a little different for me this year, but my only focus is being a great husband and father to my loving family.
As I reflect on my six years in the NFL and all that it took to get to where I am today, I am reminded of the many people I have to be humbled and deeply grateful for.
No one feels the daily grind more than my loving and extremely supportive wife, Madalyn. Six years ago, we were just two young people here in Dallas venturing into a whole new world. We had so much to learn in such a short amount of time, and we learned it every day, absorbing every moment together. She has been with me throughout my entire career and has supported me to be my absolute best on and off the field. It's true that I couldn't have continued this journey in the NFL without her. Madalyn, you have made this transition as a mother to our little girl so easy. I am forever grateful and blessed for you. If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that players' wives don't get enough credit.
My mother and father gave me the perfect combination of love and discipline, and taught me what hard work and persistence really mean. From a young age, they always told me that if you do something, do it with all your might. Every time I put on the uniform, I just hope that I don't betray that philosophy, which I have always strived to live up to.
My three sisters have helped me a lot in their own ways. They have all been extremely influential in every aspect of my life, and having them as siblings has helped shape me into the person I am today. As you grew up and played in every game, the three of you laid the foundation for how to compete. You're all fierce in your own way, and that brings a lot of passion and emotion to the way I've played with you. Some of my favorite memories still are watching you all play basketball, volleyball, and run track.
I want to thank Boise State for taking a kid from Riggins, Idaho as a bye and developing me into a first-round pick. Thank you, Coach Harsin, for giving me the opportunity to play at my dream university. Growing up, it was always a dream of mine to wear those blue and orange uniforms when I went to Boise State games as a kid. Coach Avalos, I am forever grateful to you. Thank you for all the effort you have put into me. You truly believed in me and never satisfied me with anything other than greatness. You are still like a father in my life. There are countless memories I look back on both on and off the field.
Thank you to my agent Ron for always supporting me. You all have worked countless hours to make sure we are in the best position possible. You always considered my family's preferences first. You handled every aspect of the draft process like a complete professional. Even in Dallas, they took care of us like family. Whatever you need, we're always here to help, no matter how busy or busy we are right now. Thank you for making my dream of playing in the NFL and Dallas come true.
Football truly is the ultimate team sport, and being a part of an NFL organization makes that even more evident. So many people give their time to help our players, and I would like to thank everyone in the Dallas Cowboys organization, former and current, for everything they have done for me over the past six years. think. Athletic trainers Jim, Britt, Greg, and Hanson, you guys always worked hard to get me playing every week. To the guys in the equipment room, Mike, Bucky, Dylan, and Blake, thank you so much for making sure I have the right equipment to perform every day. Our player security, Cable and Brian, you two go above and beyond to make sure we're all taken care of. thank you! Our strength staff, Coach H, Kendall, and Ced. You three have truly gone above and beyond for me these past few years. I love you like brothers. Coach Marcus, we miss you every day, and not a day goes by that we don't think of you when we step into the weight room.
I owe everything to my amazing teammates, both former and present. I look forward to greeting you both formally and privately later, but I want to know that I love and respect all of you and that not having the opportunity to be near you all hurts the most. Please know. Building friendships and unbreakable bonds of trust on the field is what makes soccer so special and so important to me. When you think back on your NFL career, you remember all the games you won, the games you lost, the plays you made and the plays you missed. I will remember you and the time we spent together, our trust and love for each other, and our unwavering desire to help each other succeed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The Dallas community and passionate Cowboys fans are truly amazing. When I arrived in Dallas six years ago, I received the warmest welcome possible and it has been my home ever since. The dedication and passion our fans show is inspirational. There's no doubt that on a Sunday afternoon in the fall, the collective cheers of enthusiastic fans give the players strength. Many times we have been contacted by fans and loyal season ticket holders who have given us nothing but words of encouragement and support. I can't thank you enough.
Every day I am grateful for all that God has given me: my family, friends, teammates, and being on this stage to positively impact the lives of others. Today, I would like to thank God for the countless blessings he continues to bestow on my family and me. You have given me a new, healthy baby girl and a wife who will follow you. I wouldn't have gotten this far if I hadn't trusted in your unwavering love and guidance. You blessed me with the ability to become a Dallas Cowboy and gave me a six year career as a professional football player. In this next chapter, I strive to encourage you to work through me to continue to impact people's lives and be a light in this world.
Team releases “Thank you” video
The team released a “Thank You, Leighton Vander Esch” video that includes many of the highlights of his career. This video can be viewed on the team's page here.
