At the age of 28, Leighton Vander SchFormer linebacker Dallas CowboysHis announced this Monday Withdrawal After six seasons NFL Because his body won't give it any more.
“I realize that I can no longer meet the ideals that professional football demands, and it is with great sadness that I say this; I am medically retiring from the NFL. I love football so much, but my body just can't handle it,” the Dutch-born linebacker wrote in his farewell letter.
Leighton said goodbye after football Cowherd warriors He declared that he had not passed the medical examination due to two years of persistent neck injuries which had hindered him. Dallas It made him want to keep it for good.
“I've loved every moment of my NFL career and it's been a great blessing to play for so long. Things may look a little different for me this year, but the focus right now is being a great husband and father to my loving family,” Leighton added.
Vander SOnce selected Pro BowlRetires with 71 games played, 469 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
The Riggins, Idaho native's career began in 2018 when he was selected by the All-Star team Draft In the first round of that year. Jerry JonesOwner Dallas CowboysHe regretted the early retirement of the young player.
“You rarely meet a player like Leighton; his passion and love for the game is infectious. He has made a difference since his arrival. His grit, toughness, drive, determination and football IQ will be sorely missed,” said Gerry Jones. .
What injuries did Leighton Vander Esch suffer?
His talent was overshadowed Injuries a neck that has affected him since his second season in the league; The team tried to protect his neck with a collar that protruded from the back of each helmet game.
In 2019 he A surgery To correct a nerve problem in the area that caused him to drop out the season Before the due time. A year later he suffered a broken collarbone and played in only 10 games.
In 2022, another one injury, now with a stinger in his neck, he has missed four games. These problems continued into last season, in which he played just five games in competitions.
