Leighton Vander Esch has announced his retirement after a neck injury forced him to call time on his career – with the linebacker hanging up his boots at the age of 28
Leighton Vander Esch has been forced to retire from the NFL through injury (Image: Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has had to stop playing in the NFL because of a neck injury.
Vander Esch, 28, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, as he was the 19th pick. The linebacker told NFL fans about his retirement on Instagram with a message that was full of emotions.
“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, (Kris) Richard, DQ (Dan Quinn), (Ben) Bloom, George (Edwards), AD, and Scotty (McCurley) have been the best days of my life.
“My dream of playing for the Dallas Cowboys came to reality on April 26, 2018. That night will forever be a night I’ll never forget. During my six years as a Cowboys player, I’ve always pursued success and winning football games, while preparing and training with the highest standards of competition, passion, and perseverance. It has been an honour to represent my family, my teammates, and the people of Dallas.”
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Then Jerry Jones, who owns the Cowboys, said thank you to Vander Esch for his dedication over the past six seasons and told the linebacker he’d be missed by the franchise.
“Seldom do you come across a player like Leighton, who grew up playing eight-man football only to first play the 11-man game at the major collegiate level and excel,” Jones said in a statement on Monday. “His passion and love for the game was contagious, and from the moment he arrived, he has been a difference maker.
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Vander Esch managed six seasons in the NFL despite dealing with neck issues in college (Image:
Getty Images)
“His grit, toughness, motivation, determination, and football IQ will be sorely missed. Leighton also embodied the strong character and personal qualities that make him much more than an accomplished player. He was a leader and the kind of teammate that impacted those around him in the best ways.
“Leighton’s playing career may have come to an end, but his future is very bright. On behalf of the entire Dallas Cowboys organisation, we’re proud that he wore the star on his helmet, we thank him and we wish all the best to Leighton, his wife, Madalynn, and their young daughter.”
Some Cowboys fans have blamed San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams for ending Vander Esch’s career after a hit during their 42-10 loss last season caused him to miss the remainder of the year. But Vander Esch had been dealing with neck issues since his sophomore year at college. In 2019, his neck troubles resurfaced and caused him to miss four games towards the end of the season.
He then opted for surgery to permanently fix the problem. However, Vander Esch broke his collarbone in 2020 and then in 2021, the Cowboys declined his fifth-year contract option due to concerns about his fitness.
Despite this, the Cowboys re-signed Vander Esch on a one-year contract in 2022 and later gave him a new two-year deal. But after six seasons in the NFL battling pain and recurring injuries, Vander Esch has decided to retire following medical advice.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.
