Leighton Vander Esch has announced his retirement after a neck injury forced him to give up his career.The linebacker retired at age 28.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has been forced to stop playing in the NFL due to a neck injury.
Vander Esch, 28, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 19th pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The linebacker informed NFL fans of his retirement with an emotional message on Instagram.
“Today is a difficult day for me, but it is also a day of reflection and gratitude,” Vander Esch wrote. “Playing for the Jones family, Coach (Jason) Garrett, (Mike) McCarthy, (Rod) Marinelli, (Chris) Richard, DQ (Dan Quinn), (Ben) Bloom, George (Edwards), AD. , and Scottie (McCurley)) These were 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. 6 as a Cowboys player Throughout the years, I have always pursued success and winning the game of football. “I prepare and train with the highest standards of competitiveness, passion, and perseverance. My family, my teammates, and the people of Dallas… It's an honor to represent you.”
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Afterwards, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones thanked Vander Esch for his dedication over the past six seasons and told the linebacker he would miss being with the franchise.
“It's not every day you come across a player like Leighton, someone who grew up playing 8-man football, played his first 11-man college level, and excelled,” Jones said in a statement Monday. Stated. “His passion and love for the game was contagious and he was a difference maker from the moment he arrived.
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“His grit, toughness, motivation, determination and football IQ will be sorely missed. Leighton also embodied strong character and personal qualities that made him more than just a skilled player. He was a leader. He was an inspirational teammate in the best possible way.
“Leighton's playing career may be over, but his future is very bright. On behalf of the entire Dallas Cowboys, we are proud that he wore the star on his helmet. We thank him and wish him all the best in the future.'' Leighton, his wife Madalyn, and their young daughter. ”
Some Cowboys fans blame San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams for ending the career of Vander Esch, who missed the rest of the season with a hit during last season's 42-10 loss. are doing. However, Vander Esch has been plagued by neck problems since his sophomore year. His neck problems returned in 2019, causing him to miss four games late in the season.
He then opted for surgery to permanently resolve the problem. However, Vander Esch broke his collarbone in 2020, and then the Cowboys declined his fifth-year contract option in 2021 due to concerns about his fitness.
Despite this, the Cowboys re-signed Vander Esch to a one-year deal in 2022, then signed him to a new two-year deal. However, after spending six seasons in the NFL and battling pain and recurring injuries, Vander Esch decided to retire on the advice of his doctors.
* AI tools were used to add an additional layer to the editing process for this story.
