Darren Waller (Photo via Darren Waller/YouTube)
Former New York Giants tight end Darren Waller announced his retirement from professional football over the weekend, and with it came a revealing scenario that happened to him in 2023.

The 31-year-old former New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders tight end posted a video to social media that not only confirmed his retirement but had him revealing a life-threatening medical emergency that he experienced months ago, which played a significant part in his decision to draw the curtains on his career.

A week after suffering a hamstring injury, Darren Waller described the horrific events leading up to the incident that led to him calling an end to his professional football career.

He began feeling feverish or at least experiencing symptoms while driving home from a music video shoot. When he got to his New Jersey house, he shivered uncontrollably until he passed out. “I kept nodding off and couldn’t breathe, so I ended up calling 911,” Waller said. Even though he believed he was speaking properly to emergency personnel, the paramedics had trouble understanding what was coming out of his mouth.

“I think I’m talking clearly on the phone, but they can’t make out much of what I’m saying.”

“I’m there breathing deeply, and in between each breath, I’m yelling out, ‘Help!’ so maybe I could wake the neighbors up,” the former Pro Bowler continued. “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 spent three and a half days in the hospital, unable to stand, much less eat, or use the restroom without help. The encounter opened his eyes and caused him to reflect deeply on his life, eventually leading to his decision to put a stop to his career.

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Waller finishes his eight-year NFL career with 350 catches, 4,124 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns, per ESPN.com.

Darren Waller’s Decision to Retire Comes Amid Divorce From Kelsey Plum

Darren Waller (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Waller has experienced significant changes in his professional career and private life.

Months before he would announce his retirement, he and WNBA champion Kelsey Plum would file for divorce after one year of marriage.

Plum shared a heartbreaking message on social media: “I’m devastated. I walked through fire for that man, but now I see it’s time to go,” she wrote on Instagram Stories.

“God has given me an incredible life, and I’m truly so grateful for the profound love from my family and friends,” the Las Vegas Aces star continued.

“One day I’ll share my story, today is not that day. Thank you for the grace to process my pain, to forgive and move forward. Today and everyday I will continue to choose joy. Much love KP.”

New York Giants TE Darren Waller Drops Serious Music Video About His Relationships Following Kelsey Plum Divorce

Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum (Photos via YouTube and Getty)
Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller were first linked in 2022 and wasted little time securing their love with each other by getting married. It would not last long.

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum confirmed her divorce from New York Giants tight end Darren Waller in a social media post in April.

A little over a month later, Darren Waller, who has been quiet since the announcement of the divorce, finally spoke out in his own way.

The New York Giants tight end—who’s also a musician—dropped his latest single, “Who Knew (Her Perspective).” Waller stated he wrote the song from the viewpoint of a woman trying to love him.

“I’ve struggled with intimacy in romantic relationships my whole life, and I recognize the toll it has taken on the lovers I’ve been close to,” the 31-year-old said on Thursday, according to TMZ.

“Essentially, I’m telling myself, from the damage I’ve done, that it’s imperative for me to heal the wounds in my life I’ve been avoiding by seeking relationships.”

 

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Waller could be seen singing to a woman, which he says represents him walking in her shoes.

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“As the song is an attempt to see things from the woman’s perspective, the video is an extension of that, ending with me being alone and wondering why they wounded me and left me there.”

According to TMZ Sports, Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller filed for divorce together, and they’ve already reached an agreement on how their assets and alimony will be divided. The pair tied the knot in March 2023. According to the report, neither party will receive spousal support.

After beginning dating in 2022, Waller and Kelsey Plum soon became engaged. When they started dating, the WNBA All-Star and Pro Bowl tight end were both players in Las Vegas. However, Waller was traded and joined the New York Giants for the 2023 season.

Kelsey Plum Shared Heartbreaking Message About Divorcing Darren Waller

Kelsey Plum (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Plum and Darren Waller were married in March 2023 and divorced less than a year later.

In a Twitter post, Plum said, “I am devastated. I walked through fire for that man, but now I see it’s time to go. God has given me an incredible life, and I’m truly so grateful for the profound love from my family and friends. One day I’ll share my story, today is not that day. Thank you for the grace to process my pain, to forgive and move forward. Today and everyday I will continue to choose joy. Much love KP.”

The couple began making appearances together in 2022 and have known each other since at least 2021, though they never confirmed their relationship until their wedding.

It seems their relationship was much better when nobody knew about it.