Former Giants star Darren Waller reveals moment he realized he was 'definitely done' playing in the NFL

After 9 seasons with 3 antithetic teams, Darren Waller decided to walk distant from the NFL aft the 2023 season.

He appeared successful 12 games with the New York Giants successful what turned retired to beryllium the last twelvemonth of his NFL career. Last June, Waller admitted successful a video posted to his YouTube transmission his "passion" for shot "has dilatory been fading."

"I’ve decided to discontinue from the crippled of football," helium wrote connected Instagram. "To God: what a journey, and convey you. We took it mode farther than I ever could person imagined! So grateful for each the ppl I’ve been capable to link and make memories with on the way. We inactive got plentifulness much beingness near to live. Love you all. Peace."

Waller was 31 erstwhile helium decided to telephone it quits.

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Darren Waller of the New York Giants runs onto the tract earlier a crippled against the Seattle Seahawks astatine MetLife Stadium Oct. 2, 2023, successful East Rutherford, N.J. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

As Waller deed the one-year people of his NFL retirement, the erstwhile choky extremity shared immoderate penetration starring up to his astonishing decision. Waller said it took a fistful of a games into his lone play with the Giants to recognize helium was acceptable to retire.

DARREN WALLER REFLECTS ON DIVORCE AND RETIREMENT, SAYS HE HAD TO 'LOOK IN THE MIRROR'

"I knew I was retiring erstwhile we played successful Buffalo," Waller said during a caller quality connected "The Side You Don't See" podcast. "It was a crippled wherever it was truly arguable due to the fact that 1 of the guys held maine astatine the end, and they didn’t telephone it.

Darren Waller of the New York Giants during the archetypal fractional of a preseason crippled against the Carolina Panthers astatine MetLife Stadium Aug. 18, 2023, successful East Rutherford, N.J. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

"It was successful the archetypal 4th of the game. We were moving this antagonistic pb moving play, and I'm benignant of similar starring done the spread similar I'm a fullback, and the play is working. But I beryllium down connected the sideline aft similar a thrust wherever we ran similar 3 times, and I’m like, what the f--- americium I doing with my life? I'm retired present playing fullback. I don’t adjacent privation to bash this s--- anymore."

The infinitesimal had a lasting interaction connected Waller, who said helium sat connected the sidelines staring up astatine the sky.

New York Giants choky extremity Darren Waller successful the passageway for a crippled against the Philadelphia Eagles astatine Lincoln Financial Field successful Philadelphia Dec. 25, 2023. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)

"I’m conscionable looking astatine the satellite — it’s aboriginal archetypal 4th (or) 2nd 4th — and cipher other would truly adjacent cognize I americium reasoning this, but I’m connected the sideline like, ‘Yep. I’m going to decorativeness this twelvemonth to the champion of my ability, but I americium decidedly done aft this year.'"

The Bills outlasted the Giants successful the game, celebrating a 14-9 victory.

Waller finished his little stint with the Giants with 552 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. He had a turbulent play that included a little hospitalization. He sustained a hamstring wounded successful Week 8, which caused him to miss respective games.

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Away from the field, 2024 besides marked the extremity of Waller's matrimony to WNBA prima Kelsey Plum. The 2 filed for divorcement successful Las Vegas successful April 2024.

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